Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option available because they look and work just like real teeth. While these irremovable appliances can last for decades and allow patients to easily chew foods that are extremely difficult to eat with dentures, they need to heal properly in order to work as well and for as long as they possibly can. To help you start off your life with dental implants right, here’s a list of habits that are best abstained from until the surgical sites have had a chance to heal.
Eating Hot or Hard Foods
Everyone likes a hot meal on occasion, and hard, crunchy foods can delight snackers with their varied flavors and textures. However, the tissue around your dental implants will be very sensitive after your surgery, and eating hot, spicy, or crunchy foods can irritate it. This can lead to inflammation and infection that can contribute to implant failure. Stick to mild, soft foods that are cold or lukewarm until your mouth has had some time to heal.
Drinking Through a Straw
While drinking through a straw is a great way to minimize the amount of sugary soda that comes into contact with your teeth, the sucking motion in the mouth required to use one can distress tissues healing after implant surgery. Once the procedure is complete, the body will form a blood clot over the wound to protect the tissues underneath. Drinking through a straw can cause this blood clot to become dislodged, which can expose the bone structure or nerve endings beneath, resulting in a severely painful condition called dry socket.
Smoking
Smoking is one of the most common culprits behind implant failure. Nicotine, the addictive ingredient in tobacco, has the side effect of causing blood vessels to constrict, which makes it harder for the gums to heal and fight infection. To make matters worse, frequent exposure to the many noxious chemicals contained in tobacco smoke can cause the gums to recede. Since dental implants require healthy gums to be successful, it’s best to quit smoking a few weeks before the procedure.
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term investment. By taking care of them and avoiding these habits after having them placed, you can maximize your return and enjoy a beautiful and complete smile for life.
About the Author
Dr. Nelson Y. Howard earned his dental doctorate at the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 before completing a General Practice Residency in West Los Angeles at the V.A. Medical Center. He is proud to be a member of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics and a founding member of the West Coast Society for Cosmetic Dentistry. His offices in San Diego and San Marcos, CA offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant services. To schedule a dental implant consultation, contact him online.