After you’ve gotten your dental implants, you will receive some instructions that you’ll need to follow while your mouth is recovering. One of these instructions will be to stay away from certain foods that might cause discomfort or other issues during the healing process. You should familiarize yourself with the foods you need to avoid – as well as those you should stock up on – ahead of your appointment so that you can start planning your post-implant meals now. Below is a brief guide to what you should and shouldn’t eat after dental implant surgery.
What Foods Can’t You Eat After Surgery?
- Stay away from any foods that are overly hot or spicy, such as soups or peppers. They’re very likely to irritate the implant site and cause additional discomfort.
- Do not eat anything sticky, such as caramels. They can stick to your implant and the surgical site, attracting bacteria and increasing the risk of infection.
- Avoid crunchy or hard foods like potato chips, taco shells, and nuts. Anything that takes more effort to chew can increase the risk to the implant site.
- Cut acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges out of your diet during the initial recovery process. They can easily harm the implant site, potentially extending healing time.
What Foods are Okay to Eat After Surgery?
Your diet after receiving dental implants should mainly consist of soft, nutritious foods. Good examples include eggs, fish, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, protein shakes, applesauce, sliced bananas, and most cheeses. As your mouth recovers and you feel more comfortable chewing, you can slowly start to return to your normal diet.
It’s important to drink lots of water while you’re recovering. Not only does it keep your body hydrated, but it also helps rinse away food debris and harmful bacteria, which goes a long way toward lowering the risk of post-surgical infection.
What Else Should You Do While Recovering from Implant Surgery?
In addition to maintaining a proper diet, there are a few other things you need to do to protect your smile after implant surgery. For example, when brushing your teeth, you should avoid touching the surgical site. You can keep that area clean by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water for about five minutes two or three times a day. If you use a cold pack to reduce swelling, only apply it for 20 minutes at a time; then wait at least 20 minutes before applying it again.
Getting dental implants can change your life for the better, and a successful recovery process is a key step to achieving that goal. Talk to your dentist if you have any questions about what to expect or if you’d like more suggestions for planning your diet for the days after surgery.
About the Author
Dr. Joe Ornelas is a proud native of Crown Point and is happy to be able to use his dental training to improve the lives of his friends and neighbors. He pursued his doctorate at Indiana University School of Dentistry, and today he takes the time to keep himself up to date with the latest advancements in dental care. He’s partnered with Crown Point’s best dental implant specialists and is happy to answer any questions you might have about the process of replacing your teeth. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Ornelas at Ornelas Family Dental of Crown Point, visit his website or call (219) 663-2892.