For those who are missing one or more teeth, dental implants are a highly recommended option for restorative dentistry. Implants can be permanent fixtures that enhance the strength and functionality of your mouth permanently, letting you say goodbye to dentures and annoying extractions in the future. The best part of getting dental implants with your trusted Mission Viejo dentist is that they feel just like natural teeth. A surgical procedure is necessary to attach dental implants permanently to your gums. Below we have a guide to diet after dental implants.
Guide to Diet After Dental Implants
If you don’t know what your options are for diet and overall lifestyle requirements after this procedure, the recovery process can seem frustrating and uncomfortable. That is why we want to create this short guide to diet after dental implants so you have a better idea of what to expect. Our dentist today will address some of your major concerns regarding chewing, smiling, and, especially, eating after dental implant surgery.
Initial Recovery Expectations
Your dentist will give you an overview of your expectations prior to and after the procedure during your initial consultation. You may be told to expect some swelling and pain around the gums for several days after surgery. Some bleeding may occur, but this should disappear quickly. To help you get through the first days of recovery, your dentist might prescribe pain medication that you can pick up at your local pharmacy.
It is very important to stay hydrated while you are recovering. After dental implants are placed, you can still eat but soft and liquid foods should be avoided for at least the first two days. You don’t want to cause infection or irritation, as your gums can be very sensitive and raw. You may not feel like eating much, but try to get some liquids down.
While Healing: What Not to Eat
Soft foods can be comforting and you can find them while you are recovering. Patients enjoy soft casseroles, yogurt, warm soups, Jell-O, pudding, smoothies, potatoes, cottage cheese, Jell o, and fruit juice. What you should avoid after having dental implants, however, is just as important as knowing what to eat.
Certain hard substances can destroy the implants as they heal and certain abrasive ingredients can cause mare harm than good. It is in your best interest to avoid these foods:
- Crunchy foods such as nuts and candy are a great choice.
- Spicy dishes
- Citrus and other high-acidic foods
- Hot coffee, tea, or other scalding beverages
You should listen to your gut in most cases. You should eat what you like, but make sure that it is not something that you have to bite on or chew too hard. Do not force yourself to eat something your implants aren’t capable of handling during the initial recovery stage. As your dental implants start to feel more normal, it will be easier to eat a wider variety of foods.
Don’t Eat Solid Foods!
Many surgeons will advise against eating hard or solid foods while your implants heal. Failure to follow the aftercare instructions can lead to more swelling, pain, or infection. Your implants could be damaged or removed from their original positions, leading to more injuries. Repairing implants that have not healed properly can be costly and painful.
Always refer to the instructions provided by your trusted dentist and your oral surgeon. You can reach our experts anytime if you have any questions regarding the recovery of implants.
Eating Your Favorite Dishes
When can you eat your favorite foods again? You will be pleased to know that an average recovery time takes only a few weeks if you want to eat normally again. You should be gentle with your food choices while your teeth heal. Once you have stopped feeling pain or discomfort, you can resume eating normally.
Get Life-Long Dental Comfort With Implants Today!
Tooth loss and bone loss can cause severe limitations in eating, smiling and chewing as well as breathing. The discomfort and pain will only get worse over time. You can give your mouth a second chance to be healthy, happy, and totally functional with top-notch dental implants in Mission Viejo. This will allow you to relieve so much pain and restore youthful beauty to your face. You will finally remember what it feels like to smile, eat, chew, and breathe easily again. Contact our friendly dental professionals today to find out more about dental implants!