There is no denying dental implants provide a lot of peerless benefits. However one of the most enticing benefits is they do not require any dietary restrictions once healed. While dental implant cost more than other treatment options, the benefits they provide are well worth every penny.
What to Eat and Avoid After Your Dental Implant Surgery
While you can eat after your dental implant procedure, it is important to keep in mind that your gums are still slightly swollen and tender a few day after the procedure. That said, you need to stick to soft foods or liquids after your dental implant surgery. Below are the foods you can eat and avoid after your dental implant procedure.
What You Can Eat the First 24 to 48 Hours
The first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, it is recommended that you only eat liquids or soft foods to protect your vulnerable gums. To get your recovery off to a great start, it is ideal that you fill your pantry and refrigerator with nutritious and healthy dietary choices before your procedure.
Most dentists will recommend that you eat a healthy balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to help you while recovering. Some of the options that should make your list include:
- Water
- Pureed soup
- Bone broths
- Mashed bananas
- Mashed potatoes
- Pudding
- Applesauce
- Instant oatmeal
- Protein shakes
- Fruit and vegetable juices
- Scrambled eggs
- Tofu
- Cottage cheese
- Flaky fish
- Herbal tea
Foods to Avoid
As mentioned earlier, your gums will be swollen and tender after your dental implant procedure. It is also important to remember that your implants are inserted through tiny incisions in your gums. Ensure you protect your gums accordingly after the procedure by not eating the following:
- Spicy foods – hot salsa or hot peppers
- Crunchy foods – chips, nuts, and popcorn
- Hot beverages – tea, coffee, and hot soups
- Acidic foods – oranges and tomatoes
- Sticky foods – gums
What to Eat Weeks Following the Surgery
In the weeks after your dental implant surgery, your gums and jaws will continue to heal. This would be a good time to reintroduce solid foods back into your diet. At this point, it is ideal that you continue to make nutritious and balanced choices to help hasten the healing process.
Below are some of the things you should eat:
- Proteins – Chicken, fish, eggs, turkey, and ground beef
- Healthy carbohydrates – Bananas, oats, blueberries, and sweet potatoes
- Healthy fats – Edamame, olives, nut butters, and avocados
- Dairy – Yogurt, protein shakes, cheese, and cottage cheese
Foods you should avoid:
It is recommended that dental implant patients continue to avoid crunchy, spicy, acidic, sticky, and hard foods in the weeks following the dental implant procedure. Better yet, it would be ideal to ask your doctor when you can eat the foods you are prohibited to consume.
The Risks of Not Following the Right Diet and Food Protocols
Just like any surgical procedure, it is crucial that any post-operative instructions are strictly followed. Otherwise, you can experience certain complications like excessive swelling, bleeding, infection, pain, and even dental implant failure. If you have other concerns and questions about diet and food protocols, consider it best to check with your dentist.
The good news is you will eventually be able to eat normally again once your dental implants have healed completely and your prosthetic teeth have been placed. By then, you won’t have any dietary restrictions and you will be able to eat anything you want without any anxiety or fear.