Dental implants are a life-changing experience for many patients who, as a consequence of tooth issues, have been unable to participate in numerous everyday activities. One of the most significant changes we see in our patient’s lives is the return of their old confidence to eat foods that were previously off-limits.
Dental Implants San Diego enjoys assisting our patients in regaining a healthy mouth and the pleasure of eating their favorite foods once more. However, unlike natural teeth, dental implants can last a long time—possibly your whole life! —so we need you to keep that in mind. There are some foods that are harder on your teeth than others (think: beef jerky!) and aren’t recommended for excellent oral health, and other meals that are “on hold” after implant surgery.
A Dentist in Mira Mesa would like to assist you with learning the long-term dos and don’ts of a diet that will keep your dental implants intact, as well as what to anticipate when it comes to your nutrition during the first few weeks after surgery. All of this is quite crucial for their ultimate success.
THE PRIMARY CONCERN: DO NOT OVERSTRESS/OVERLOAD THE NEW IMPLANTS
Yes, we can perform the surgery and (in many cases) give you new teeth all in one day, but to ensure a successful recovery, you must avoid overstressing the implants. You should also keep your mouth clean and avoid any germs around the soft tissues and surrounding implants while they heal. The purpose of this page is to limit the amount of stress put on the new implants.
It’s critical to note that although the implants, which seem to be stable, do not become fully integrated in the bone right away; it takes time. You’ll be able to eat whatever you want once they’re completely implanted and healed. Use this as a reference:
THE DAY OF YOUR OPERATION
You may consume right away after your dental implants are placed, but keep in mind that your gums will be painful and possibly somewhat swollen for a few days. As a result, you should avoid foods that are sticky, chewy, or crunchy until your healing process is complete.
You can eat certain foods as soon as possible after surgery (and for the first few weeks) including things like:
- Scrambled eggs
- Crepes
- Quiche
- Soft bread
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Stews (meat cooked to a soft state)
- Pasta / macaroni and cheese
- Cooked beans
- Cooked vegetables (cut and eaten from a fork)
- Fish
- Chicken, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
- Smoothies (drink, don’t suck from a straw)
- Softer fruits like strawberries, bananas, blueberries, oranges, etc. (mashed the first few days)
- Applesauce
- Ice cream (rather than sucked through a straw) from a spoon
- Sugar-free protein drinks/shakes
- Oatmeal
- Rice
- Mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes
- Soft meat, like meatballs, hamburger patties
- Soft breads (in small pieces)
- Soups
You should be cautious about eating only soft foods and fluids for the first 24-72 hours to safeguard your sensitive gums. It will take some time for them to fully heal, and the implants will have bonded with the bone and become totally solid and stable. In the meantime, just keep in mind that soft is preferable.
FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
All crunchy or chewy foods should be avoided for a time after your implant operation. So, while you’re looking forward to sinking your teeth into an apple, a cob of corn or a bowl of corn chips and salsa, they’ll slow down the healing process for those first two weeks. However, the day WILL come, so be patient. Keep in mind that we’re discussing bone repair.
Avoid for the time being:
- From a straw, anything!
- Anything hard or crunchy (raw carrots, granola bars, chips, etc), until you’ve been told it’s okay to chew!)
- Anything dry (dried fruits, gummy candy, pizza crust, fibrous meats)
Because of staining, you may want to limit long-term intake of the following foods:
STRONGLY COLORED BEVERAGES / FOODS
Your new teeth may quickly reveal what you consume. Many of our favorite beverages have the potential to harm your new teeth. The following items are the worst offenders when it comes to staining:
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Colorful or dark sodas
- Mustard
- Dark berries (blueberries, blackberries)
- Tomato sauces
- Curry-type sauces
Of course, we aren’t suggesting that you completely eliminate these foods and beverages; instead, keep in mind that they are more prone to stain. Rinse your mouth after eating or drinking any of these items to help clean your teeth and avoid excessive staining.
Fortunately, our team of experts can also assist you with any stains that build up over your 6-month cleaning appointments. (Yes, you’ll still need cleaning appointments! )
You’ll be able to eat anything you want once you’ve fully recovered from your dental implant surgery!
KEEP A HEALTHY DIETING
Your diet should include staples like: for the greatest oral health outcomes.
- Lean meats
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Plenty of water
San Diego Smile Center is a dental practice located in San Diego, California. We provide expert and personalized dentistry to patients who want beautiful smiles without the high cost of traditional implant treatment. If you’re looking for dental implants or are experiencing a dental emergency and are considering implant tissue, we can help. We can help you discover a method to get it taken care of, even if dental implants aren’t a part of your oral health requirements or if you’re not a candidate. After all, as prosthodontists, our education is focused on RESTORING teeth as well as REPLACING them when they are lost.
Get in touch with us at (858) 566-0842 to schedule a free consultation to see whether you’re a candidate and your treatment choices.