Dental implants are an excellent way to replace lost teeth because they look, feel, and work like the real thing and can last for thirty years or more if they receive excellent care. The healing period after having implants surgically placed is crucial for their success, and certain habits can interfere with it and make it more likely that the gums will reject the prostheses. Here are a few activities to avoid after receiving dental implants so they can heal smoothly and thoroughly.
Tobacco Can Kill Your Dental Implants
After receiving dental implants, it is crucial that the gums and the jawbone have time to heal and integrate with the titanium posts. Through the natural process of osseointegration, the implants fuse with the surrounding bone tissue, creating a sturdy foundation that allows the artificial teeth to function just like natural ones do. The nicotine in tobacco causes blood vessels to constrict, making it harder for the gums to heal and fight infections and diminishing the jawbone’s ability to bond with the post.
It’s best to quit smoking or chewing tobacco a few weeks before receiving dental implants as well as for a few months afterward. If you have to quit for this long anyway, why not take the opportunity to kick the habit altogether so you can enjoy a lifetime of improved oral and cardiovascular health?
Intense Exercise Can Be Too Much Stress
Exercise is an indispensable part of maintaining your overall health, but going too hard at the gym or on the track can put too much stress on the sites of recent surgeries. It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for the first two or three days after receiving dental implants. This will prevent increased blood flow from straining the resting tissues and disturbing the healing surgical wounds.
Hot or Crunchy Foods Can Hurt Your Gums
After your dental implant surgery, it’s best to abstain from crunchy or hot foods for a few days or until you feel comfortable eating them again. Hot or spicy foods can damage the healing tissues around your implant, and crunchy foods can put too much stress on the post, potentially loosening it from its position. It’s a great idea to avoid chewing on the side of the mouth that hosts the implant while it is still healing.
Going easy on your healing oral tissues after receiving dental implants can lead to a speedy and thorough healing process. If you take care of your new teeth, they can take care of you for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Aarati Kalluri earned her dental doctorate at the University of California in San Francisco, where she was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society based on her clinical and academic performance. She stays up to date with the latest developments in the dental field by participating in a number of study clubs in the Portland area. Her office in Hillsboro offers general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about caring for your new implants, contact her office online or dial (503) 352-5116.