Dental implants are considered one of the most effective and widely used solutions to replace missing or extracted teeth. And their success depends on proper aftercare. Even though the root of your tooth is now titanium, and the crown is ceramic or porcelain. These materials are still susceptible to wear and tear, especially after surgery.
The process of osseointegration—the successful integration of the implant into your jawbone—depends on proper aftercare. By diligently following your dentist’s instructions, you can lower the possibility of issues, avoid discomfort, and fully benefit from your new teeth. In this article, we will list the common mistakes you should avoid after getting dental implants and their solutions.
Mistake 1: Failure to Follow Post-Treatment Instructions
After the initial pain and swelling subsides, some people may neglect their dentist’s instructions. This may include eating foods they told you not to, stopping medication, working out strenuously, and not using the correct tools for your oral hygiene.
To Avoid This Mistake:
- Read your doctor’s instructions thoroughly. If you have any questions ask them!
- Schedule regular follow-up appointments
- Ask a close friend or family member to be your accountability partner or take care of you for the first few weeks. This will make the healing process easier and make sure you follow your doctor’s orders!
Mistake 2- Ignoring the Pain and Swelling
It’s natural to experience pain and discomfort a few hours after surgery. Usually, these issues resolve themselves with medication and proper care. But, if the bleeding persists, or the pain is too much– it may be signs of an infection. Ignoring the pain may lead to your implant rejection among other complications.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Call your doctor as soon as you notice any abnormal, painful symptoms.
- Schedule an emergency appointment if required.
- Follow your doctor’s prescription for medication, rest, or more treatment
Mistake 3- Maintaining Poor Oral Hygiene
Yes, your new implant is made with synthetic material- However, that does not make them indestructible. You need to care for them just like you would a real tooth, in fact– in the weeks following surgery, you need to care for them more thoroughly!
Avoiding Post-Surgery Hygiene: Oral hygiene is essential after implant surgery. Neglecting it can lead to the accumulation of bacteria around the implant site, potentially causing infections and delaying healing.
Ineffective Cleaning: Rigorous flossing and brushing can disrupt the healing process.
Neglecting Oral Rinses: Oral rinses help support a healthy environment for proper healing and reduce bacteria buildup
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Brush your implants twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss around your implants every day using dental floss or a water flosser
- Gently rinse your mouth with a warm, saline solution every day
Mistake 4- Eating Hard or Sticky Foods Too Early
Eating soft foods and following a bland diet is not for the faint of heart. It can get boring and repetitive– but, anything else and you risk severely aggravating your implant site.
Ignoring Your Recommended Diet Plan: Hard or sticky foods interfere with implant placement, create unnecessary traction on the healing site, and hinder blood clot formation. In addition to slowing recovery, they put your implant at a higher risk of dislodgement.
Eating Hard and Crunchy Foods: Nuts, chips, seeds, and hard candies may exert pressure on the implant area, potentially leading to implant discomfort.
Eating Acidic and Sugary Foods: They may cause inflammation and negatively impact gum health. Minimize their consumption to create a conducive environment for optimal healing and long-term implant success.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Follow the diet plan recommended by your dentist
- Easy-to-chew foods like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, yogurt, etc are good for healing.
- Before introducing a varied diet, make sure you consult your doctor.
Mistake 5 – Smoking, Using Tobacco Products or Drinking too Soon
Even though everything in moderation is alright, while recovering from your implant procedure going cold turkey on smoking and drinking is imperative.
Negative Impact on Healing: Smoking and tobacco use hinder the oxygen supply and blood circulation to the implant sight. This slows the healing process. Alcohol consumption interferes with your body’s natural healing process and contributes to inflammation.
Reduced Implant Success: Both alcohol and tobacco are associated with decreased implant success rates. They impact the integration of the implant with the jawbone, increasing the risk of implant failure.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Eliminate bad habits like smoking, drinking, and chewing on tobacco. Instead, use this time as an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat a balanced diet with veggies, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Cut down on sugary snacks and drinks that can cause plaque to build up around the implant
- Drink enough water to help create a healthy environment for your dental implants
Mistake 6 – Failure to Visit Follow-Up Appointments
Busy schedules, personal commitments, and errands may make you de-prioritize your follow-up appointments. However, this may lead to complications in the long run. These check-ups ensure:
- Your healing is on the right track, and check whether the implant is integrating well with the jawbone.
- Inspect for signs of infection
- Recognize and correct problems on time
- Your after-care regimen will alter depending on the stage of your healing.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Add your appointments to your calendar and set a reminder on your phone.
- Call and reschedule it if an emergency comes up.
At Ridge Oral, Our practice is one of the few 100% surgeon-owned and operated oral surgery practices in New Jersey, and we are committed to always providing quality, personalized oral surgery care for every patient we treat.
We provide care in 16 areas in Basking Ridge, NJ from Morristown to Far Hills. Schedule a consultation with our team of expert surgeons for your oral health needs and we’ll be happy to help you!
Mistake 7 – Exercising Too Soon
You may be thinking- what does leg day have to do with my teeth? Well, any form of strenuous exercise raises your heart rate, increases blood circulation, and causes you to clench your jaw. This may increase swelling at the implant site, and cause avoidable pain.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- To avoid muscle stiffness, try going on a light walk if your body is feeling up for it.
- Doing some simple stretches is another good way to get some movement in, without exerting yourself.
Mistake 8 – Using the Wrong Cleaning Tools
If you’re used to regular or hard-bristled toothbrushes, they won’t be suitable following surgery. They are harsh and may irritate the space around the implant by damaging the sutures. Roughly brushing your teeth should also be avoided—this can also cause inflammation and swelling.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Dentists typically recommend soft-bristled brushes and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Devices such as interdental brushes or water flossers may be prescribed to help clean the implant without irritating it.
- Light salt water rinses also help clear out any bacteria, without aggravating the implant site.
- Don’t spit the water out forcefully, just let the water flow out naturally. This avoids aggravating the implant site.
Mistake 9- Inadequate Rest and Recovery
We saved the most important for last- inadequate sleep. Sleeping is crucial for optimal recovery. A minimum of 8 hours of quality sleep is essential for your body to heal itself.
To Avoid this Mistake:
- Take time off work, school, and anything else that may stress you out and prioritize rest. Especially for the first few weeks following the procedure.
- Have a comfortable nighttime routine that ensures you get quality sleep.
- Limit distractions and a heavy meal before bed
Recovering from surgery is not an easy process, it takes patience, consistency, and of course, a positive mindset. But, with the right practices in place– the recovery will be smooth, and the results? Absolutely worth it.
When it gets difficult to maintain post-operation practices- remind yourself why you chose to undergo the surgery in the first place. This will help you ensure that you take the steps to have a smooth and fast recovery.
Remember, we at Ridge Oral are there to guide and support you every step of the way. Our dedicated, board-certified surgeons will ensure a smooth operation, recovery, and a confident, vibrant smile at the end of our journey together.
For more information on our services, take a look at this page. We hope to be your go-to dental care provider in the Basking Ridge region. Here are some of our patient reviews!
Address: 175 Morristown Road, Ste. 103 Basking Ridge, NJ 0792
Phone: 908-895-6455
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm