After having dental implants placed, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to ensure a smooth, successful recovery process. In particular, you will have to make adjustments to your diet. There are certain foods that could potentially cause problems for your implant posts and your mouth during the healing process. Below is a brief overview of the kinds of foods that are best avoided after dental implant surgery.
Foods to Avoid After Getting Dental Implants
After receiving dental implants, you will be instructed to stay away from foods that are hard or crunchy. Common examples include apples and popcorn. Biting down on these foods can expose your implant posts to excessive amounts of pressure and could prevent them from forming a lasting bond with the jawbone.
It’s also best not to eat anything sticky, such as caramel. These kinds of foods can pull on your implant posts and disturb the tissues that are trying to heal. Furthermore, sticky foods can become lodged around your implant posts and potentially increase the risk of an infection occurring.
Finally, it’s highly recommended that you avoid particularly hot or spicy foods in the days following your dental implant surgery. They can irritate the sensitive tissues around your implant posts, causing significant discomfort and increasing any inflammation you might be experiencing.
Foods You Can Eat After Getting Dental Implants
While you’re recovering from dental implant surgery, you should only eat soft or liquid foods. Blended soups, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and yogurt are all excellent examples of foods that you’ll be able to enjoy during this period. Plan your diet carefully; you’ll want to make sure that your body gets plenty of nutrients while your mouth is healing.
After a certain point, you’ll be able to reintroduce heartier foods into your diet. However, you’ll need to keep anything you eat away from the implant site. You shouldn’t chew directly on your implant posts until you’ve received the prosthesis that will act as your replacement teeth.
Once the dental implant process is complete, you will have the freedom to eat virtually anything you want. Dental implants offer chewing power comparable to that of natural teeth, so you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods again without restriction.
As long as you have a clear grasp of what foods you should and shouldn’t eat, you can keep your dental implants safe throughout the healing process. Once your mouth has recovered, you’ll be one step closer to enjoying a complete, functional smile again.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal is a graduate of Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and he has completed an Implant Dentistry fellowship at New York University. At Fisher Dental in Nepean, he helps patients reclaim complete smiles with sturdy dental implants. He’s able to place implant posts in-office and can restore them with fully customized, natural-looking prostheses. If you are ready to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Bal by visiting his website, using his online booking tool, or calling (613) 727-0990.