Dental implants are excellent replacements for natural teeth and are permanent. However, you will need to take care of your implants, especially during the initial healing process. Your dentist will outline all the important things you have to do and you will also learn about some things you definitely should not be doing. Keep reading to learn about a few of these things.
Do Not Drink Alcohol
Your dentist will advise you not to drink alcohol, especially during the initial 48 to 72-hour period after your surgery. The main concern is the increase in bleeding risks associated with alcohol consumption. However, there are quite a few other reasons why you should not be drinking alcohol for 72 hours and beyond.
Alcohol consumption, especially in larger amounts, will interfere with the way that your body is able to absorb vitamins and nutrients. These nutrients are essential for tissue healing. Certain nutrients are also essential for bone formation and osseointegration. Osseointegration is when new bone tissue forms and attaches to your implant. Since osseointegration provides your artificial tooth with its strength, you want this process to occur without a hitch.
Osseointegration occurs for about six months. So, you want to stop drinking alcohol completely for several days to a few weeks and then you should reduce consumption significantly for about six months.
Do Not Eat Spicy Foods
If you like to eat spicy foods, then you should know that you should avoid them after your dental implant surgery. This includes any food item, spice, sauce, or additive that contains capsaicin. Capsaicin binds to certain neurotransmitter sites within the mouth and this causes a burning feeling. And, while your mouth is not actually burning, the capsaicin can cause irritation which may lead to inflammation.
When tissues are inflamed, like the ones around your implant site, they are unable to heal. This is due to a reduction in blood flow as tissues swell and cut off circulation to smaller capillaries.
While it is best to avoid spicy foods, if you do end up eating anything spicy, think about rinsing your mouth with water afterward. Also, brush your teeth and tongue. Also, when cooking, use spices that do not contain capsaicin. A few of these spices include cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and paprika.
If you want to know more about your dental implants and the types of things that you need to avoid after surgery, speak with a dental professional.
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