Dental implants are excellent options for tooth replacement for anyone who has lost some or all of their teeth. Once these implants are implanted into the jawbone and everything has fully healed, they typically provide sufficient chewing strength for you to eat most normal foods. However, before the jawbone has healed completely, it’s essential to avoid certain foods so that there are no complications to the natural healing process.
To give your jaw the best conditions for fast and complete recovery, you’ll want to make specific changes to your diet in the weeks following a dental implant procedure. If you’re wondering what to eat after a dental implant, the following recommendations will help your new implants integrate fully into the bone of your jaw as quickly as possible.
Vitamin C for Faster Healing
Vitamins and minerals are important for overall health, but during the healing process, vitamin C can be critical. Studies have shown that vitamin C in regular doses not only speeds up the healing process but can also help to prevent complications after surgery. It’s a safe, effective way to help your jaw heal faster, allowing you to enjoy your new implants as soon as possible. Citrus fruits, while an excellent source of vitamin C, are also highly acidic and should be avoided.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is vital for the healing process for several reasons. Protein helps your body form antibodies to ward off any post-operative infection and can aid in producing red blood cells. It’s also a key ingredient in your body’s production of collagen, which is necessary to help rebuild bone and tissue around the site of your dental implants. Foods like lean meat or fish, which is high in protein, are ideal. You may also consider protein drinks, as they are easy to consume.
Fruits and Vegetables
Foods high in vitamins and nutrients but not too hard or chewy are perfect for the recovery period following a dental implant procedure, making many fruits and vegetables ideal. While these may be great examples of food to eat after a dental implant, you’ll want to consume only moderate amounts of any citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits, as they are highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. Dark leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, or chard are soft and easily chewed once cooked and contain high amounts of calcium, which can aid in bone healing.
Oats and Soft Cereals
Cooked oatmeal and other soft cereals are nutritious, filling, and easy to chew and digest. Make sure all grains are thoroughly cooked and soft throughout before eating. You can top cooked cereals with soft fruits like blueberries or strawberries, which can be mashed before adding for maximum softness. Soft cheese or cream can also be added, which brings an added bonus of increased calcium content.
Soft Snacks
Any soft, non-chewy, and non-sticky snack would be a fine food to eat after dental implant surgery. In addition to things like soft breads and other baked goods, consider smoothies, fruit juices, and bone broth, which can boost dietary protein. Yogurt is another great soft food choice and is an excellent source of calcium. Avoid anything chewy or sticky, as this can cause undue stress to the tissues around a dental implant, especially early in the healing process.
Summary
Dental implants can restore your smile, your confidence, and your normal chewing function, provided they’re allowed to heal completely. To avoid any complications and to ensure the most rapid healing process possible, it’s essential to avoid eating any foods which may injure or irritate the recovering bone and gum tissues.
It’s also vital to ensure you’re giving your body good nutrients, like protein and vitamin C, to aid in the healing process. By carefully choosing foods based on the guidelines above, you can avoid injury or damage to the gum tissue, bone, and implant itself while contributing to a more rapid and complete healing process.
If you want more information on dental implants or a post-procedure diet, contact your dentist today with any questions.