Mistakes You Shouldn't Make With A Dental Implant

Posted on: 15 September 2022

Has your dentist recommended getting a dental implant to restore your fractured, decayed, or missing tooth? This artificial tooth functions like natural teeth and will improve your smile, help you retain your facial features, and prevent jawbone loss. 

If the dentist confirms that you can undergo this oral surgery, you will need to educate yourself on these implants, what to expect, and how to ensure your surgery is successful. This post will share common blunders that may derail dental implants, so avoid them at all costs.

Failing to Prioritize Recovery

After dental implant surgery, your body will need time to recover. This is why oral surgeons and dentists recommend that you rest for long hours and avoid strenuous activities, including exercise. You'll need to follow all the post-surgical instructions the dental experts will provide. 

For example, you shouldn't exceed the suggested activity level at each recovery stage. Also, you'll need to follow instructions on what to eat or drink. If you fail to do so, you'll likely burst your stitches.

Not Practicing Oral Hygiene

Following a successful dental implant procedure, your oral surgeon will provide specific instructions on performing oral hygiene. These will include daily oral care habits like brushing and flossing. But, you will need to be gentle during the first few days. Don't rinse the mouth for a few days. 

When the implant gets time to heal, you may use a saltwater solution to rinse the mouth after eating. The instructions you may get aren't limited to these mentioned above, so follow your dentist's guidelines. This way, you will keep the mouth free from bacteria as the implant heals.

Not Avoiding Your Bad Habits

After leaving the dentist's or oral surgeon's office, you may fall into old habits that could be detrimental to your oral health. This may include habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, nail-biting, or chewing ice. 

Practices like these will either put excess pressure on the dental implant or slow down the implant healing process. So, ensure you avoid these bad health habits to avoid post-dental implant issues shortly after the procedure.

Failing to Visit the Dentist's Office 

Your dentist will expect you to visit their office regularly after surgery, so they can monitor the recovery progress. Even after healing, you will need to prioritize the bi-annual check-up visits that entail checking the condition of both the natural teeth and implants. Don't skip these visits because they are meant to detect any early signs of dental issues.

For more information about dental implants, contact a local dental office.

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