2 Mistakes To Avoid Right After Having Dental Implant Surgery

If you are getting ready for or have just had dental implant surgery, you may have already given some instructions on how to properly take care of the sites in the days following the procedure. However, while taking care of your new implants, make sure you avoid the following mistakes that could irritate the sites or even dislodge the newly set posts.

1.  Eating or Drinking Anything Hot

As part of your diet in the 24 hours following the procedure, you were most likely told to stick to either liquids or soft foods to keep from disturbing the surgical sites. However, even if you do adhere to the texture that is required, you should also make sure you pay attention to the temperature of your food.

While a cup of broth or even green tea may seem like it can soothe your gums, you should stay away from any hot foods during that first day. Since the incisions in your gums are still fresh, the blood is still forming clots to stop the small amount of blood oozing from the sites.

However, if you eat or drink hot foods, the heat could dissolve any forming clots, causing the gums to bleed. The hot temperature can also irritate the already inflamed tissue, which would increase any discomfort you may feel. 

If you do decide to eat or drink something cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature. After a couple of days, you should be able to return to consuming hot foods and beverages when you feel you are ready.

2.  Disturbing the Implant Sites

Another mistake you should avoid during the first day after your implant surgery is disturbing the implant site. Because the posts were just inserted, they are still vulnerable to pressure that could dislodge them, at least until the gums around the posts heal and stabilize.

While trying not to disturb the sites, avoid brushing and flossing around them directly. Instead, gently rinse your mouth with salt water or a mouthwash prescribed by your dentist.

Also, you should try to keep your tongue away from the posts. While it may be natural to subconsciously seek out foreign objects in your mouth, you need to be mindful of your tongue's location to ensure it does not push on the implants.

Avoiding the above mistakes during the first 24 hours after having your procedure can allow the implant posts to take hold and heal faster. For more advice on how to take care of your new implants, contact the dental implant services office through which you had your surgery for further guidance.