A dental implant is a treatment for replacing a missing tooth in the oral cavity. Most dentists advise to avoid dairy products after a dental implant. Here, we will briefly discuss on Why No Dairy After Dental Implant.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implant is an alloplastic material, which is inserted into the jaw bone to provide proper and adequate support to the artificial tooth. This is a fixed way to retain an artificial tooth.
Dental Implant is a surgical procedure. the patient has to undergo several visits to the chamber. Usually, it takes 5 to 8 months to complete the treatment. A metal is inserted into the jaw bone surgically, which serves as an abutment of the artificial crown.
A dental implant offers the best functionality to the patient. It is more durable than any other prosthesis, patients can chew hard foods without any difficulty. Most importantly, it offers an excellent aesthetic, which may be the major concern of some people.
There are many types of dental implants, they are used in the mouth based on their indication. The most common type of dental implant is an Endosteal implant and the most common material used in the procedure is titanium.
Why No Dairy After Dental Implant?
It is strange to most the people why dentists prohibit consuming dairy products after the dental implant procedure. Dairy products are considered rich in nutrition, which is thought to be effective for wound healing. But, the reality is they don’t help in post-surgical recovery, sometimes it can cause trouble to the patient’s health.
We mentioned earlier that a dental implant is a surgical procedure. Here are some reasons why dairy is prohibited after the procedure:
Increase risk of infection:
Consumption of dairy products increases the production of bacteria in the oral cavity. Bacterias like Lactobacilli get the proper environment for their growth. The lactic acid of the bacteria delays wound healing. There also remains a chance of caries into the adjacent tooth of the implant. Dairy products also bear the risk of causing tuberculous infection at the surgical site.
Disintegration of blood clots:
A dental implant is a surgical procedure. After the initial surgery, the patient is given time to heal till the next visit. During the surgical procedure, bleeding occurs in the operation site, where blood clots form automatically. Calcium in dairy products affects the blood clotting. So, to prevent prolonged bleeding, dairy consumption should be reduced and stopped after the procedure.
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Inflammation:
Inflammation is the body’s protective mechanism against injuries. if inflammation occurs in the implant site, there will be a problem in the osseointegration between the bone and the material, which may cause the failure of the dental implant. According to some health specialists, dairy products increase the risk of prolonged inflammation at the site of the surgery.
Reaction with antibiotics:
After the first surgical visit to your dentist, he will prescribe you some antibiotics to stop the growth of bacteria at the surgery site. Dairy products interact with antibiotics and decrease their efficiency on the body. This as a result makes your oral cavity more prone to infection. Thats Why No Dairy After Dental Implant
Reaction with sutures:
After the initial surgery, the site has to be sutured. Absorbable sutures like vicryl, monocryl are widely used due to their effectiveness and biocompability. Dairy products react with the sutures and decrease their efficiency.
What are the best Diets after dental implants?
There are plenty of diets you can take instead of dairy after you undergo an implant surgery. here are some lists which will help you in faster recovery:
- You should take soft foods, which will not cause any pain to the surgical site.
- Foods with high protein don’t allow the growth of bacteria in the mouth. So, take foods like fish chicken, and eggs and stay healthy.
- You will have to take plenty of Fruits and Vegetables during the treatment. As your bone undergoes modification, the minerals and the vitamins will help to heal.
- Take soft-grain foods like oatmeal, rice, and pasta, which will not cause any irritation to the surgical site.
Things to avoid after a dental implant other than dairy:
- Don’t take any hard or crunchy foods, it will dislodge the blood clots.
- Limit the consumption of sugary food to keep your mouth free from cariogenic bacteria.
- Smoking is totally contraindicated after a dental implant, it will cause inflammation and infection at the surgery site. The treatment will fail ultimately.
- Don’t take spicy food during the treatment, it will cause irritation and a burning sensation in the mouth.