Do you have an upcoming dental implant surgery scheduled, or are considering the procedure? Doing your research ahead of time is a smart way to be prepared and put you in the best position to take great care of your new implant. Proper care, cleaning and lifestyle choices will ensure the long-term success of the procedure and extend the longevity of the implant itself.
Part of that care is understanding what foods and beverages are advised after the surgery, as well as what items are recommended to avoid after you have recovered from the procedure. Because they are anchored in place, implants feel very stable and provide excellent biting force to enjoy the foods you love. While they feel and function much like natural teeth, there are a few suggestions to keep in mind with your new implant so you can continue to have a beautiful, healthy smile.
Immediately Following Surgery
Once your surgery is complete, be sure to wait to eat until the anesthesia has completely worn off to avoid accidentally biting your cheeks, lips or tongue. You may drink water or juice until the numbness is gone. After that, you may eat and drink small amounts of soft foods so long as you’re careful to avoid the area where the procedure was performed. A liquid diet the first day or two may be more comfortable, depending on how you are feeling. Try to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and incorporate healthy proteins to promote the healing process.
Hard or crunchy foods like nuts, seeds, chips or popcorn are off limits until you have completely healed. Sticky foods and treats such as taffy, caramel, chewing gum and hard candies that could stick to your mouth or gums should be avoided. Spicy or salty foods could irritate the gum tissue, so you should hold off on those as well.
The First Few Days After Surgery
As your mouth continues to heal, you may still have some soreness or swelling, so listen to what your body – and your doctor – are telling you. When you are ready to eat a bit, some ideas of safe choices include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Broth or creamy soup
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Pudding
- Oatmeal
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Pasta
The Weeks Following Surgery
Your recovery should gradually improve in the days and weeks after your implant surgery, and your diet can continue to grow along the way. As you feel comfortable, you must remember to not eat in the area of the implants. You may eat on the side opposite the implants still with care not to have Hard or crunchy foods like nuts, seeds, chips or popcorn. If you have had a full arch of implants, you must stay on a soft diet until the implants have fully integrated. Eating nutritiously is important for healing.
Learn More About Dental Implant Surgery
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, you can get more insight by following up with Dr. Marc Gordon: contact us today. Call 732-389-3400 to make an appointment at our Eatontown location or 732-364-2025 to make an appointment at our Howell location. We’re here to help you have the best possible dental implant experience.