Dental Implant Aftercare: Here’s What NOT to Do

Once you’ve received your dental implants, it’s time to celebrate! However, you shouldn’t go overboard. Your mission over the next few months is to do everything you can to ensure their success. Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery if you want your implants to last! Continue reading to find a few key habits you’ll want to avoid after dental implant surgery.

Eat Hard, Sticky Foods

Your implant site will be sensitive and insecure in the days following surgery, so it’s important to avoid anything that could put pressure on the area. This includes hard candies, nuts, potato chips, popcorn, and sticky candy like caramels or taffy.

Instead, stick to soft, nutritious foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or scrambled eggs to aid healing without irritation.

Drink Through Straws

Sipping through a straw creates suction in your mouth, which can dislodge the blood clot around the surgical site. This clot is essential for healing as it provides a barrier between the empty socket and any debris or bacteria. Damaging or dislodging it can lead to dry socket, a painful condition that could derail your treatment.

Stick to drinking straight from a glass and avoid any sucking motions, including smoking, using vape pens, or spitting.

Consume Tobacco and Vape Products

Speaking of smoking and vaping, this is another habit you should avoid as it will slow down the healing process, reducing your chances of success. Nicotine and other chemicals found in cigarettes and vape juice reduce blood flow to your gums, making it harder for your mouth to heal properly.

If you smoke, try to avoid it for at least a few weeks after your surgery—or even better, consider using this time as motivation to quit for good! If you need help, your dentist can often provide resources to get you started.

Skip Oral Hygiene

While you need to be gentle around the surgical site, oral hygiene is still critical to keep your mouth clean and prevent infection. However, avoid brushing or flossing directly on your dental implants for the first few days.

Instead, rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash or warm salt water and brush and floss carefully around the rest of your mouth. If your dentist gives you any other specific instructions, be sure to follow them closely for the best results!

Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure a smooth recovery and set your dental implants up for long-term success. So, follow your dentist’s post-op care instructions, stick to soft foods, and keep your mouth clean to enjoy a healthy, fully healed smile!

About the Author

If you’re ready to rejuvenate your smile, Dr. Bradford Plasha has the technology and talent to help. He earned his dental doctorate from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine before undertaking advanced training in dental implants and other procedures. He’s also a Fellow of the International Dental Implant Association, going above and beyond to learn modern techniques. Call (484) 854-6900 to schedule a dental implant consultation at The Dental Spot of Collegeville or visit our website to learn more about other services.