Are There Diet Restrictions After Dental Implants?

10/22/2024 by admin in Dental Implants, Oral Surgery, Restorative Dentistry

Dental implants are considered the gold standard method of replacing missing teeth for patients who have an adequate amount of jawbone density to accommodate the restorations. Not only can they provide a fully functioning smile, but they also work to stimulate new bone growth in the area of tooth loss. That said, dental implants require oral surgery to affix the restorations to the jawbone and it’s not uncommon for patients to wonder about any food restrictions during their post-operative diet. While our dentists will give you detailed information in person, the following offers a brief overview of what you can expect both right after surgery and during the healing period. 

What to Eat Immediately After Implant Surgery

For the first couple of days after your implant procedure, your gums will be swollen, red, and tender. We recommend sticking to a soft-food or liquid diet during this time to alleviate chewing pressure and help protect your incision sites. A brief primer on an ideal post-surgery diet may include: 

• Pureed foods
• Lukewarm soup
• Mashed potatoes
• Bone broths
• Protein shakes
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed bananas
• Soft tofu
• Yogurt

Foods to Avoid After Implant Surgery

During the osseointegration (bone fusing) process, your dentist will likely instruct you to refrain from eating the following foods to protect the treated area(s) of the gums and accelerate the healing period:

• Peppers and spicy foods
• Acidic foods, such as lemons, tomatoes, and oranges
• Popcorn, nuts, raw vegetables, and other crunchy foods
• Very hot food and drink, including hot tea
• Sticky foods, such as gum

Once your implants have successfully integrated with the underlying jawbone and your permanent crown is secured, you can resume eating all of your favorite foods again. Rest assured that the skilled dental team at Scripps will give you detailed post-operative instructions to ensure you have a smooth, seamless hearing period after implant surgery. 

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact Scripps Dental Care at our La Jolla office for gentle, effective care in replacing one or more missing teeth with dental implants.

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