Dental implants are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth in the mouth. Implants work by fusing naturally with the bone of the jaw over the course of a few months. Once healed, crowns, bridge work and even full dentures can be specially made to fit over the implant. The reason it’s important to eat a special diet after implant surgery is because your gums are healing and the implant itself is undergoing a process known as osseointegration. This is the critical time when the implant fuses itself with the bone, ensuring a solid and reliable foundation for future restorations.
What Foods Should You Avoid?
After surgery, you should avoid hard and sticky foods that may cause problems with the implant. In the early stages, the implant itself has the ability to move and shift. By eating hard, solid and sticky foods, this further creates a shift to the implant. When an implant shifts too much, it can fail over time and may not osseointegrate properly with the bone. Foods to avoid include:
• Hard pretzels and chips
• Chewing gum
• Hard veggies and fruits
• Sandwiches
• Crusty breads
• Popcorn
• Steaks and hard meats
• Ice cubes
• Sticky candy
What are Safe Foods After Surgery?
In order to improve the chance of your implant fusing and bonding with the underlying bone correctly, it’s best to stick to softer foods for the first few months. While this might sound difficult, it’s an easy transition that you’ll get used to quickly. Some of the best foods to eat after having implants placed include:
• Oatmeal
• Smoothies
• Protein shakes
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Eggs
• Soup
• Soft potatoes
• Macaroni
Consulting the Professionals
It can sometimes be difficult to know which foods to eat and which to avoid after undergoing oral surgery. Old habits die hard, and you may find yourself reaching for your old-time favorites without thinking about the impact the food will have on your new implants. Think about how long your implants can last if they heal properly and try to do your best to change your diet for just the first few months. This ensures that the implants heal properly and provide you with a secured anchor for a variety of other restorations to improve your smile.
If you need additional information on your diet after implant surgery, call us right away so that we can answer your questions.
