The dentist office may be the safest place you will visit all day. Where else can you go and sit in a chair that has been disinfected before you sit in it. Dental offices have been practicing stringent infection prevention since 1992 when OSHA mandated The Bloodborne Pathogens Act. The dental staff is training in infection prevention and every patient and treatment area is managed as if they did have an infectious disease. I don’t know how restaurants clean their silverware, but at Alsbury Dental, and every other dental office, we sterilize or throw away every instrument after each use. At Alsbury Dental we will wear the mask, so you don’t have to.
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What Can You Not Eat After Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. Implants work by fusing naturally with the bone of the jaw over the course of a few months. Once healed, crowns, bridge work and even full dentures can be specially made to fit over the implant. The reason it’s important to eat a special diet after implant surgery is because your gums are healing and the implant itself is undergoing a process known as osseointegration. This is the critical time when the implant fuses itself with the bone, ensuring a solid and reliable foundation for future restorations.
What Foods Should You Avoid?
After surgery, you should avoid hard and sticky foods that may cause problems with the implant. In the early stages, the implant itself has the ability to move and shift. By eating hard, solid and sticky foods, this further creates a shift to the implant. When an implant shifts too much, it can fail over time and may not osseointegrate properly with the bone. Foods to avoid include:
• Hard pretzels and chips
• Chewing gum
• Hard veggies and fruits
• Sandwiches
• Crusty breads
• Popcorn
• Steaks and hard meats
• Ice cubes
• Sticky candy
What are Safe Foods After Surgery?
In order to improve the chance of your implant fusing and bonding with the underlying bone correctly, it’s best to stick to softer foods for the first few months. While this might sound difficult, it’s an easy transition that you’ll get used to quickly. Some of the best foods to eat after having implants placed include:
• Oatmeal
• Smoothies
• Protein shakes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Eggs
• Soup
• Soft potatoes
• Macaroni
Consulting the Professionals
It can sometimes be difficult to know which foods to eat and which to avoid after undergoing oral surgery. Old habits die hard, and you may find yourself reaching for your old-time favorites without thinking about the impact the food will have on your new implants. Think about how long your implants can last if they heal properly and try to do your best to change your diet for just the first few months. This ensures that the implants heal properly and provide you with a secured anchor for a variety of other restorations to improve your smile.
If you need additional information on your diet after implant surgery, call us right away so that we can answer your questions.
Why Teeth Turn Yellow
We all want that picture-perfect white smile to feel confident in showing off. Unfortunately, teeth naturally yellow and dull over time. This process is sped up by the foods and drinks we consume and other lifestyle habits. Thankfully, professional whitening can help to lift and dissolve these stains. To prevent them from occurring in the first place, it’s important to know what may cause your teeth to yellow.
Smoking
Not only is smoking detrimental to your health, but it is a problem for your smile. Smokers are more likely to have gum disease and tooth loss over time, but it’s common for them to have yellowed, browned and stained smiles. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes contributes to this yellowing, causing deep stains and discoloration.
Chewing Tobacco
You may assume that going smokeless is a safe option, both for your teeth and health. Unfortunately, chewing tobacco is just as problematic to the color of your teeth. In fact, smokeless tobacco is the leading cause of oral cancer and can contribute to a browned, dull smile. It’s best to avoid chewing tobacco and instead switch to a sugar-free chewing gum, preferably one containing xylitol.
Tea, Coffee and Soda
Most people love to start their day with a hot cup of coffee or tea. You might not feel like yourself until you drink your favorite morning-time beverage. Likewise, many people enjoy washing down their favorite meals with a cold soda. Unfortunately, tea, coffee and soda can all contribute to deep staining.
Wine
Drinking a glass of wine is a great way to unwind after a long day. Unfortunately, just as wine would stain your rugs and carpeting, it can easily stain your smile. This is especially true of the darker wine varieties like red and burgundy.
Staining Foods
You may not even think of your favorite foods as contributing to the staining of your teeth. Foods like berries, chocolate and red sauces can all eventually yellow your teeth and cause a dulled appearance.
Aging
Just the act of aging can contribute to a yellowed and dull smile. A patient who is 70 years old will have a duller smile than a patient who is 20 years old. Unfortunately, this is a simple part of aging that is natural and to be expected.
If you are ready to whiten your smile professionally, call our office and we can help to get you in for an appointment.