Dental implants are remarkably similar to natural teeth. They restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile.
Before undergoing dental implant surgery, it’s often necessary to prepare your mouth for optimal results. This might involve quitting smoking or addressing gum disease. Not only this but following a suitable diet after surgery is equally important for successful healing.
In this blog, we’ll talk in detail about the foods that you can eat after dental implant surgery.
The First 24-48 Hours After Dental Implant Surgery
Right after your dental implant surgery, your mouth will be very sensitive. That is why it’s important to eat soft foods and drink plenty of liquids to help you heal.
During the first two days, try eating soft foods like soup, ice cream, or mashed potatoes. Smoothies are a great option, too. You can add protein powder, avocado, or peanut butter for an extra boost.
Try to let your food and drinks cool down before eating them in order to help reduce swelling, and avoid using straws because the suction can hurt your new implant.
Stick to these guidelines for the first couple of days to give your mouth a chance to heal.
Day 3-7 After Dental Implant Surgery
Now, you can start adding softer, firmer foods to your diet. Good options to consume in this period are:
- Scrambled eggs, omelets, soft cheeses, and well-cooked pasta.
- Chicken, fish, soft fruits like peaches and pears. Avoid hard fruits.
- Oatmeal and muesli for breakfast.
- Soft-cooked vegetables like boiled or steamed carrots and potatoes.
Week 2 Through to Full Healing
It takes several weeks for your mouth to fully heal after getting a dental implant. So, be careful when you start eating harder foods. If something hurts, stop eating it.
You might want to change your eating habits even after you’ve healed. If you love hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, be careful not to damage your implant.
It’s a good idea to avoid these foods as much as possible to keep your implant healthy for a long time.
Other Recovery Tips
Follow these tips to make your implant heal faster:
Don’t skip meals
Even if you don’t feel like eating anything, your body needs food to heal. So do not skip your meals.
Stay hydrated
Make sure to drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated will make you feel better after surgery.
Rinse with salt water
Your dentist might suggest doing this a few times a day after your surgery. Saltwater helps kill germs and can soothe your mouth. You can also use a special mouthwash if your dentist recommends it.
Avoid intense exercises
Don’t exercise or lift heavy things to prevent bleeding and discomfort.
Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco can harm your new implant and slow down healing.
In Conclusion
Eating the right foods after dental implant surgery helps your implants heal better. If you have questions about what to eat, contact the expert dental team at The Smile Artisans. Call us at (832) 220-6087 to schedule an appointment.