Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth. Small titanium rods mimic the roots of your teeth and fuse to your jawbone, providing a strong, stable support for a false tooth. Implants require a surgical procedure, and with that, a healing period. Eating well is essential to healing well following the procedure, but there are certain foods you should avoid.
HARD, CRUNCHY FOODS
Your mouth is undoubtedly going to be sore following dental implant surgery. And while you will be provided with temporary teeth while you heal, eating hard and crunchy foods will only exacerbate the pain, as they require extra force to bite and chew through them. Crunchy foods also increase your risk of irritating the surgical site. Stay away from foods such as whole apples, chips, crackers, crusty breads, nuts, seeds and hard candies.
CHEWY FOODS
Chewy foods are thusly named because they require a lot of extra chewing to get through them. As previously mentioned, your mouth is going to be sore from surgery. The more chewing you have to do, the more pain and likelihood of injury you are to experience. Steak, soft pretzels, caramels and chewing gum are just a few examples of chewy foods to stay away from.
HOT, ACIDIC, SPICY FOODS
Foods that are too hot, acidic or spicy all have the ability to irritate the surgical site, and make healing more difficult and painful. Don’t overheat your food. Also, make sure to stay away from foods such as hot peppers and lemons.
WHAT CAN YOU EAT?
While the list of foods you should avoid seems long, there are still plenty of things available to you that you can, and should, eat. And what you do eat should be soft, so it is easy to chew. Make sure to get plenty of vitamins and minerals through fruits and vegetables. Make yourself mixed fruit smoothies (don’t use a straw) and eat plenty of soft cooked veggies.
Protein is important to aid in healing, but meats can be difficult to chew. Instead, opt for eggs, beans or fish. And grains are also important to your overall health. Go for soft breads, oatmeal, rice and pasta.
Eating well following dental implant surgery is important for proper healing. Contact our office for suggestions about what to eat and what to avoid to ensure the success of your implants.