Your dental implant surgery is coming up soon, and you’re making mental notes of the temporary changes that you will need to make. Outside of being extra gentle near your surgery site, there won’t be too many changes to your dental care routine, but what about your diet? Keep reading to learn what foods you can enjoy, foods to avoid and what to expect once you get your new implants.
What to Eat After Surgery
Sticking to a soft-food diet during the first 24 hours after surgery is crucial to protecting your mouth and your implant. Drinking smoothies is a great way to get the vitamins and nutrients that you need to encourage the healing process, but do not use a straw! The suction can put pressure on your implant. The cold temperature can help soothe your surgery site and they don’t require chewing. Sorbet or ice cream can also be helpful in soothing sore gums. Applesauce is another great post-surgery snack. It comes in different flavors, it’s easy to eat and it won’t damage your implant. If salsa is one of your favorite snacks, consider trading it out for gazpacho, a cold soup that often contain many of the same ingredients and can be eaten with soft tortillas.
Foods to Avoid
The goal is to heal as soon as possible, but this will depend on how you treat your implants after surgery. Your incision area will be somewhat tender, so you will want to avoid foods that could cause additional pain, encourage bacteria buildup or damage your implant. It is a good idea to avoid these items for at least one week:
- Tough meats like steak, pork chops or beef jerky
- Sticky items like taffy, caramel or toffee
- Crunchy foods like chips, nuts, popcorn or raw fruits and vegetables
- Spicy or acidic foods like salsa, limes, spicy condiments or hot peppers
- Chewy foods, such as gum, bagels or gummy candy
- Extremely hot foods and liquids like coffee, soup or tea
Foods to Enjoy
Implants typically take 6 to 9 months to completely heal, but you don’t have to stick to soft foods that entire time. As your mouth begins to heal, you can slowly begin adding solid foods back into your diet, especially nutritious, protein-rich foods. A few examples of these foods include:
- Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt have plenty of calcium and protein that help encourage the healing process and strengthen your bones and teeth.
- Chicken, ground beef and fish are packed with protein and serve as a hearty main dish that is easy to eat. They can also be added to salads, soft tacos or pasta dishes.
- Eggs are packed with protein and nutrients and are very easy to eat. Add your favorite veggies or cheese and make an omelet!
Getting the right amount of nutrients and being careful with your food choices can help your implants heal properly and fit in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth. Slight bleeding and swelling are very common after implant surgery, but if you have extreme pain following your surgery, be sure to contact your dentist right away.
About the Author
Dr. James Kramer has been transforming smiles for more than 30 years. His clinical expertise and the compassion he has for his patients allows him to consistently provide top-quality, comprehensive dental care. Dr. Kramer is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the American Dental Association and more. If you have questions about your implant or would like to learn more, contact the office at (302) 436-5133 or visit the website to schedule an appointment.