A major draw of dental implants is the fact that they can stand up to virtually any food. Once your new teeth are in place, you can feel free to dig into all of your favorite snacks and meals! Before you get to that point, though, you will need to undergo dental implant surgery and a subsequent healing period. As you recover, it is important that you avoid certain foods. In this blog post, you will discover guidance to help you make smart dietary choices during your post-op period.
Foods to Avoid
Here are some foods that it would be best to avoid as you heal from dental implant surgery:
- Crunchy foods: Things like chips, crackers, and even certain raw veggies fall into this category.
- Hard foods: This includes bone-in meats, nuts, and corn on the cob.
- Extremely chewy foods: Taffy candy, dried fruits, licorice, certain types of bread, and more all qualify as chewy foods.
Also, keep in mind that you should not consume alcohol. Additionally, very hot and cold foods, as well as spicy foods, should be temporarily avoided.
Why So Many Dietary Restrictions?
It can feel like a bummer to have to temporarily avoid your favorite foods, but the dietary recommendations that come with your post-op instructions are important! Avoiding the above-listed foods reduces the risk of complications like irritation, infection, interference with blood clot formation, and more. Plus, your strict adherence to dietary guidelines can reduce post-op discomfort and help you have a more comfortable experience overall.
What to Eat Instead
You should eat mostly soft foods that require little to no chewing as you are healing from your surgery. Here are some examples of safe choices:
- Soft-cooked vegetables: Examples include steamed carrots, mashed potatoes, and cooked squash.
- Yogurt and pudding: These have a smooth and creamy texture that can feel soothing on your sore oral tissues. Choose varieties without hard add-ins.
- Blended soups: Tomato soup, cream of mushroom, or pureed vegetable soups can all be good choices.
- Scrambled eggs: These are a great source of protein and require little chewing.
- Applesauce and mashed fruits: Bananas, avocados, and other soft fruits can easily be mashed to create a tasty snack.
- Oatmeal and cream of wheat: These filling choices make for great breakfast options.
- Smoothies: Throw in some soft fruits, protein powder, and other nutritious items to create a tasty and filling meal replacement. However, avoid using fruits that have a lot of tiny seeds.
Additional Notes on Eating After Your Surgery
Here are a few additional things to keep in mind about eating after dental implant surgery:
- You might need to be on a completely no-chew diet for a short time after your surgery.
- As you feel up to it, you can progress to soft foods.
- If you still have some natural teeth, you can gradually resume normal eating habits as your soft tissues heal. However, you should continue to be careful around your implant sites.
Dental implant surgery can temporarily disrupt your eating habits, but any inconvenience you experience will be well worth it once your beautiful and strong new teeth are in place!
Meet the Practice
At Carolina Complete Dental in Goose Creek, our team is proud to offer start-to-finish dental implant services. We strive to make the entire experience as easy as possible for our patients. To learn more about us or to ask questions about the dental implant process, contact our office at 843-553-5235.