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Getting dental implant surgery can be life-changing. Whether you are missing one tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants will allow you to regain the functionality of your teeth – and they will greatly enhance your smile, too.
Before you can go on to reap those rewards, however, you have to first get through the procedure and the healing that follows.
What can you eat after dental implant surgery? Let’s find out.
Foods to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery
Following your dental implant surgery, you may find yourself a little hungry. You don’t want to grab the first thing you see and start munching. It is always a good idea to head out to the store and stock your kitchen before your dental implant surgery. Then, when your oral surgery is complete, you can rest up – and eat!
Below are some good ideas for your grocery list:
- Applesauce
- Pudding
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Soups
- Mashed potatoes
- Cottage cheese
- Macaroni and cheese
- Broth
- Protein shakes
- Beans
- Tofu
- Scrambled eggs
- Flaky fish
- Steamed vegetables
- Soft fruits
Don’t look at it as a limitation on your food. If you get creative, there are a lot of options available. Just stick to soft foods or liquids.
Foods to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery
You are always going to want to avoid certain foods that could be damaging to the surgical site – and disrupt healing. Extra care should be taken to ensure that you don’t put your implant at risk by avoiding the following foods after your dental implant surgery.
- Hard foods. Foods that are hard and crunchy, such as nuts, candy, pretzels, raw carrots, and so forth, should be avoided.
- Chewy or sticky foods. Candies, jerky, gum, etc. can be damaging and should not be consumed.
- Spicy foods. Hot peppers, hot sauces, and other foods with spice should not be eaten during this time.
- Acidic foods. Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus, tomatoes, and other types of fruits.
- Hot foods and drinks. Stick to foods and beverages that are lukewarm, room temperature, or cool as the area may be extra sensitive to heat for a couple of days.
These foods should be avoided for a couple of days after the procedure.
How Long is the Recovery from Dental Implant Surgery?
The timeframe for recovery from dental implant surgery can be significant, lasting for a few months. After all, you are waiting for the implant to heal and fuse with your jawbone. The good news is that you should only experience any swelling, pain, or bleeding during the first couple of days following the procedure. This is when you want to be careful what you eat.
As long as you do, you should be able to get back to your normal foods within just a few days.
Dr. Scott J. Forum, DDS, PC is a board-certified periodontist providing dental implants, laser periodontal therapy, gum grafting, and other exceptional services to patients in the Midtown Manhattan and New York City area.
