Things You Should Not Do After Getting Dental Implants 

Dental restorations are there to ensure that every patient smiles better than they did walking into a dental clinic. The logic is often to use oral appliances that can replace, repair, and restore the smiles of patients. When you have lost a tooth, the replacement of it matters to your oral health. If you are looking for a permanent solution, then get dental implants.

Implants have amassed a lot of popularity today, given how successful the treatments are, with up to 98% success rates. Perhaps there is more about dental implants you just know, including how to care for your mouth after getting them.

What Are Dental Implants?

They are tooth-shaped metal fixtures that are used to replace teeth in restorative dentistry. They are made of titanium, which is a sturdy material that can serve a similar role to that of natural teeth.

Tooth implants are used primarily as a solution for replacing the roots of teeth. Ideally, the titanium fixture is implanted in your jawbone, at the socket of the lost tooth. This means that an implant is a permanent restoration for your lost tooth. Once the implant is secured in place, it relies on your gum tissue and jawbone for support. Your dentist will have you heal for a couple of weeks before the follow-up procedure commences.

The next phase of the process is usually to install a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture. This phase is to ensure that the implant is covered properly, allowing your mouth to function optimally.

​What To Do After Getting Implants

Once your treatment is done, all you need to do is allow your mouth to heal. You must be careful about what you eat, how you eat, how you practice oral hygiene, among other things. The better care you take of your mouth, the quicker the healing happens, so that you can complete your procedure. Some of the things you must do include:

• Take cold foods – particularly soft foods like soups and smoothies.
• Rinse gently with a prescription mouthwash – your dentist should point you toward the right mouthwash to use.
• Take the prescribed medication for pain
• Talk to your dentist about any underlying concerns about the healing of your implant wound.

Things You Should Not Do After Getting Oral Implants

Once you get your implants installed, there are a couple of things you must observe. The idea is to keep your mouth in the best conditions for quick healing. Technically, your wait should last between 10 days to a few weeks. This period will only be dedicated to healing your gums and soft tissues. Having that an implant is placed in your jawbone, you also need time for your jawbone to heal completely. For some patients, healing takes longer than for others.

Some of the don’ts you must comply with after getting oral implants are:

• Do not eat until the numbing has worn off – if you do, you are likely to hurt yourself because your mouth does not feel anything. Wait until the sedatives wear off completely before your first meal.
• Avoid hot drinks and foods – on the first day after your treatment, stay away from hot meals.
• Avoid swilling liquids like water in the implantation site – they will dislodge any blood clots that have formed to aid the healing process.
• Avoid non-prescribed mouthwash during the first week after treatment – the last thing you want is to secure an infection in the wound.
• Don’t eat hard and crunchy foods – even though your gums may have healed, you need more time for your soft tissues and jawbone to heal properly. Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the implanted tooth. Besides, the more you avoid unnecessary jaw movements, the quicker your wound will heal.
• Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol – they tend to be abrasive and can cause discomfort to your wound. Since you must hydrate, rely on water instead.
• Do not use a straw – it disrupts the healing process by dislodging blood clots and pushing dry air in the wounded site.
• Do not neglect proper oral hygiene – acids and bacteria in your mouth will only cause an infection in your wound. Use low-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your mouth. If you need more help with the oral hygiene routine after your surgery, talk to your dentist about any pointers that can help.