If you are considering dental implants, you can rest assured that the procedure is generally very safe. and the complication rate is considered low. While most people usually sail through their dental implant procedures, there are certain lifestyle factors that may hinder the healing process. Here are three lifestyle factors that can adversely affect your dental implant recovery period and what you can do about them:

Cigarette Smoking

Smoking cigarettes can damage capillaries, including the tiny capillaries in your tooth sockets. After your dental implant surgery, it is important that the capillaries in your oral cavity are healthy and able to effectively carry blood to your dental wounds to help ensure optimal circulation.

If you smoke, circulation may be impaired, which can slow your healing and raise your risk for a post-procedure infection. If you smoke, try quitting before and after your dental implant surgery. If you are unable to quit completely, try cutting down. If you need help, talk to your physician, who can recommend effective smoking cessation options such as nicotine replacement patches, oral medications, and hospital-based support groups.

Aspirin Use

If you take aspirin on a daily basis, you may be at risk for abnormal bleeding after your implant procedure. Aspirin decreases platelet aggregation and makes your platelets less sticky. While this feature is a beneficial one in those who are at high risk for heart attack, blood clots, or stroke, it can cause excessive bleeding problems for people during and after surgery.

If your doctor has prescribed aspirin therapy to reduce your risk for a cardiovascular event, do not stop taking it because of your upcoming dental implant surgery. Doing so may put you at risk for a dangerous cardiac episode such as arrhythmia, blood pressure spike, or thrombus formation.

If, however, you only take aspirin for occasional aches and pains, your dentist may recommend that you use another form of pain relief, such as acetaminophen, a week or so before and after your implant procedure to help lower bleeding risks.

Sugar Consumption 

Eating too much sugar can also slow down the healing process after your implant procedure because it can increase the bacterial count inside your mouth. High concentrations of sugar inside your oral cavity may also raise your risk for developing a fungal infection such as candidiasis.

It can also make you more prone to gum disease and gingival infections. If you are used to eating foods with high sugar contents, try cutting down on them before and after your dental surgery. Gradually eliminating sugar from your diet will help you avoid the side effects that may accompany sugar withdrawal such as fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, and sleepiness. 

If you smoke, take aspirin, or consume a high-sugar diet, talk to your dentist before undergoing your implant procedure. Modifying these risk factors will help ensure that you have an uneventful recovery period after your surgery.