Dental implants are amazing prosthetic dental devices that replace missing teeth with beautiful restorations that look, work, and feel just like natural pearly whites. These appliances boast a success rate greater than 95%, and they may last for life if you take excellent care of them. While your implants should feel increasingly like real teeth as you get used to using them, it’s best to stick to a diet of soft and mild foods when you first receive them. Here’s a brief guide to how your eating choices can set you up for a complication-free recovery.
What Is Recovering After Dental Implant Placement Like?
Dental implants are placed through a minor surgical procedure after the patient receives an appropriate anesthetic to ensure their comfort, and they may receive sedation treatment if necessary. While many patients report that receiving an implant is a much more comfortable process than having a tooth extracted, your new appliance will be delicate when you first receive it, and you may experience some mild and temporary soreness.
Strictly adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions will help you keep your recovery process as smooth and comfortable as possible. These will probably include:
- Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as instructed.
- Being especially careful when brushing or flossing around your new implant.
- Applying an ice pack or cold compress to reduce discomfort and swelling.
- Abstaining from intense physical activities for several days.
- Refraining from smoking or drinking alcohol.
- Avoiding spitting or drinking through a straw, as these motions can disturb the healing tissues and cause a painful condition called dry socket.
- Sticking to a diet that won’t irritate the surgical site.
What Should I Eat and Not Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?
Foods and beverages that are sticky, crunchy, sugary, or acidic can irritate the tissues healing around your new dental implant, so it’s best to avoid items like:
- Acidic beverages such as soda, coffee, tea, juice, and wine.
- Spicy foods like hot sauce and peppers as well as items that contain vinegar.
- Sugary items like candy, soda, pastries, and sauces like ketchup, barbeque, and hoisin.
- Hard and crunchy fare like seeds, nuts, and raw fruits and veggies.
- Sticky and chewy items like taffy, gum, and jerky.
Instead, it’s a great idea to enjoy soft and mild foods like yogurt, smoothies, steamed veggies, fish, chicken, and pasta until you can handle tougher and more flavorful fare comfortably. This adjustment period may take several days to a few weeks.
Don’t let your gorgeous new dental implant be set up for failure because you ate the wrong foods too soon. Adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions will help you stay comfortable while recovering and keep your restoration in great shape for as long as possible.
About the Practice
Nu Dental offers the most excellent oral health services in Brick Township. Led by Dr. Admasu Gizachew, the staff ensures that each patient receives exemplary care and courtesy in a warm and welcoming environment. The office provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental treatments as well as dental implant services. To learn more about the dental implant recovery process, contact the practice online or dial (732) 475-7535.