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Home / Blog / Dental Implants / Food After Dental Implants – What You Can & Can’t Eat

Food After Dental Implants – What You Can & Can’t Eat

Medically reviewed by Dr Minoo Ghamari  / Nov 30, 2023  
Medically reviewed by Dr Minoo Ghamari  
Nov 30, 2023  
Food After Dental Implants - What You Can & Can’t Eat

Are you considering getting dental implants? It is critical to understand all parts of the recuperation process, just as it is with any medical operation. This includes what foods you can and cannot eat following surgery.

At Gorgeous Smiles, we recognise that many patients are concerned about what they can consume after dental implants. That is why we have created this guide to assist you in navigating your post-implant diet with ease.

To assist you, we will explain which meals benefit healing and which should be avoided. But first, let's go over what dental implants are and why diet is so important in the recovery process.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots created from titanium inserted into the jawbone. They serve as a base for mounting replacement teeth or bridges, offering a sturdy and long-lasting solution for missing teeth.

There are various steps to the dental implant procedure. This includes a consultation, dental implant surgery, and rehabilitation time. The implant is put into the jawbone during surgery, and the surgical site is then left to heal.

The healing process might last several weeks as the implant merges with the bone. During this recovery period, diet plays a crucial role in promoting healing and ensuring the success of the implant.

Why Is Diet Important After Getting Dental Implants?

After dental implants, your consumption can significantly impact the healing process. Your diet must be carefully curated, as certain foods can cause complications or slow recovery.

Too hard, sticky, or chewy foods might dislodge the implant, while hot foods or beverages can cause discomfort. Hence, your dental implant recovery diet should primarily consist of soft and easy-to-chew foods.

It's not just about what you can eat after dental implant but how these dietary changes help ensure a smooth recovery and successful results. So, your diet post-implantation is not just a preference but a crucial part of the healing process.

What You Can Eat After Getting Dental Implants?

Your dentist will provide a full list of foods to avoid and recommend suitable alternatives. However, here are some broad rules to follow:

Stick to a Soft Food Diet

In the initial days post-implant surgery, hard foods can cause discomfort and disturb the implant site. Therefore, sticking to a soft dental diet is highly recommended.

Mashed potatoes, avocados, scrambled eggs, and well-cooked spaghetti are wonderful alternatives. They provide the necessary nutrients your body needs to mend itself, and they're also delicious and simple to chew.

Additionally, you may add foods with a soft texture to your diet, such as smoothies, applesauce, and yoghurt. They require little to no chewing, minimising pressure on the implant site while allowing you to enjoy a varied diet.

Incorporate Protein-Rich Foods

Including protein-rich foods in your diet is recommended after getting a tooth implant. Foods like tofu, well-cooked fish, dairy products like cheese and milk, or pureed meats can be excellent sources.

These protein-rich ingredients help heal tissues and make sure that the implant will fuse properly with your jawbone. Moreover, they are soft and can be consumed easily without putting undue pressure on the implant site.

Never forget to cut them into small pieces to make them even easier to eat. Including meals high in protein in your diet will help you heal quickly.

Consume Calcium and Vitamin D-Rich Foods

Calcium and Vitamin D are paramount nutrients for bone health. As dental implants integrate into your jawbone for support, ensuring a diet rich in these nutrients is crucial.

Vitamin D is rich in fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolks, while calcium is abundant in milk, cheese, yoghurt, and leafy greens. Alternatives include foods like orange juice or cereals enriched with calcium.

Consuming these nutritious foods aids in the healing process. This promotes stronger fusion between the implant and your bone and ensures the success of your dental implant. Remember, a nutrient-dense diet is key for a swift and effective recovery.

What You Can’t Eat After Getting Dental Implants?

While there may appear to be a big list of foods to avoid, the important thing to remember is that your diet should be soft and kind on your lips. Here are some foods you should avoid after obtaining dental implants:

Hard and Crunchy Foods

Following a dental implant procedure, avoiding hard and crunchy foods is crucial. These include nuts, popcorn, hard candies, and apples.

Dental implants are a significant investment and need a healthy recovery period to ensure longevity. Eating tough or crunchy foods can damage the surgery site or move the implant, which can cause problems and make healing take longer.

Choosing softer food items that require minimal chewing during the early recovery stage is essential. This change in your food helps your oral tissues heal properly and makes it easier for the implants to fuse with your jawbone.

Sticky and Chewy Foods

Sticky and chewy foods also make the list of edibles to avoid after getting dental implants. Foods such as toffees, gum, gummy candies, and certain types of bread can stick to your dental implants or even dislodge them.

Just as important, these foods can exert undue pressure on the implant site during the healing process. This impacts the osseointegration - the vital process where the implant fuses with your jawbone.

Staying away from these things in the days after surgery will aid you in healing quickly and ensure your dental implant fits properly. So, avoiding any food that sticks, stretches, or puts pressure on your new implants is best.

Hot Foods and Beverages

Directly after dental implant surgery, avoiding extremely hot foods and beverages is advised. Hot drinks like coffee, tea or soup can lead to discomfort and may disturb the initial healing process.

Moreover, you run the risk of burning your mouth, especially when the local anesthesia hasn't completely worn off. Stick to cooler or room-temperature foods and drinks for a few days after the surgery.

This is a preventive measure to help your mouth heal, and your dental implants connect with your jawbone. Thus, avoiding hot foods and beverages is best until your dentist gives you the go-ahead.

Tips for Eating With Dental Implants

After obtaining dental implants, you'll need to make some dietary changes. Eating soft foods while your mouth heals is essential. Here are some tips for eating with dental implants:

  • Don't use a straw: Sipping through a straw creates suction in your mouth, which can dislodge the blood clot at the implant site.

  • Avoid using silverware directly on the implant site: Instead, cut your food into small pieces before eating.

  • Chew slowly and carefully: This reduces the risk of damaging your implants or causing discomfort.

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water helps with recovery and keeps your mouth clean.

Remember, a soft food diet doesn't have to be boring. Be creative with your meals, try new recipes, and incorporate different textures while adhering to soft food guidelines. This will not only aid in your recovery but also keep you engaged and satisfied with your meals.

Final Thoughts

Caring for dental implants requires a mindful approach to food and dietary habits. A soft, nutrient-dense meal full of proteins, calcium, and vitamin D will help you heal quickly and effectively.

At the same time, avoiding hard, sticky foods and hot beverages is crucial to prevent possible damage to the implant site during recovery. Ultimately, following these food rules will protect your dental implants, make your smile healthier, and make you happy.

Always remember your diet plays a key role in the effectiveness of your dental implant surgery and overall oral health. We hope these tips and guidelines will help you make the right dietary choices after dental implants.

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