Dental implants not only enhance the appearance of your smile, but they can also improve bite disorders, also known as malocclusions. Overbites or underbites can raise the risk for bruxism, or tooth grinding, and they may also heighten the risk for choking as a result of not chewing your food properly because of misaligned teeth. Most people who undergo the months-long dental implant procedure sail through it without any problems. Here are some things you can do at home to help promote optimal healing during your recovery.
Increase Vitamin C Intake
Vitamin C is essential for wound healing, collagen function, and gum health. Consuming a vitamin C-rich diet also helps maintain the health of your jawbone and the bones that support your natural teeth. It is important that your bones heal well after your titanium rods have been implanted because this will help lower your risk for implant failure. Furthermore, vitamin C also helps lower your risk for post-procedure infections, while keeping inflammation at bay.
Foods that are rich in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, potatoes, and tomatoes. Because certain vitamin C-rich foods are acidic, some people are unable to tolerate them, especially those who have acid reflux disease. If you cannot tolerate these foods, consider taking a multi-vitamin containing vitamin C or take an over-the-counter vitamin C supplement. If you are unsure about how many milligrams to take, talk to your dentist for a recommendation on the appropriate dosage.
Avoid Tobacco
If you smoke cigarettes or cigars, consider quitting or cutting down prior to your dental implant procedure. Smoking can damage the capillaries inside your mouth that are essential for optimal blood flow. Without proper blood flow and circulation, your surgical sites may not heal properly and you may also be at risk for developing a gum or bone infection.
If you are having a hard time quitting smoking, talk to your healthcare provider, who can recommend effective smoking cessation treatment options. These options include nicotine replacement patches and nicotine chewing gum that can help reduce your urges to smoke. Another reason to avoid smoking while you are recovering from your implant procedure is that the sucking motion of puffing on cigarettes or cigars can dislodge the protective clots that form over your extraction sites. These clots are essential in preventing excessive bleeding and infections.
If you are getting implants, talk to your dentist about the above interventions to help promote optimal recovery after your procedure. Self-care remedies as recommended by your dental professional and keeping all of your follow-up office appointments will help ensure that you enjoy an event-free recovery period following your implant procedure.
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