After any sort of oral surgery, including that for dental implants, you are definitely going to need to stick to a diet based around soft foods for a while. Not only will this help reduce any discomfort that you may feel, it will also ensure that you don’t eat any foods that may physically disrupt the placement of the implant before it is fully integrated with your jaw bone.
Nevertheless, it is essential that you get adequate nutrition in the days and weeks after your dental implant surgery, as this will arm your body with the goodness it needs to gain strength, heal, and enable you to feel better quickly.
Avoiding granular food
One of the most important things to remember after dental implant surgery is that you shouldn’t eat anything that contains small grains that could get into holes and cause decay and other dental damage. Products like this that you might like to try and avoid could include:
fruit with pips/seeds
anything with poppy seeds, sesame seeds etc
nuts
rice, cous cous, and quinoa
Immediately after your dental implant surgery
You will almost certainly be in some discomfort after your dental implant surgery, although your doctor will prescribe you some pain relief to help reduce these symptoms. Bleeding and swelling is also to be expected.
During the first 24 hours you will be recommended to avoid any hot foods as they could trigger further bleeding. Instead, stick to lukewarm soup, yoghurt, or pureed potatoes or vegetables. Meal replacement shakes are ideal, but do not drink them through a straw as this sucking action can disrupt the placement of your new implants.
Things to eat on a soft food diet
Contrary to popular belief, a post-dental implant surgery diet does not only have to consist of mashed potato and soup. There are actually a lot of different foods that you can enjoy, although you may have to get a little creative with your combinations. Remember that soft foods are recommended for at least the first 7 days after your dental implant surgery.
Some of the foods that we recommend include:
avocado
baked beans
bananas
bread/buns
breakfast cereals (softened in milk)
cheeses
creamed soups
creamy egg or potato salad
custard
eggs
fruit juices
hashbrowns
hummus
ice cream
jello
mac n cheese
milkshakes
moist muffins
oatmeal (softened)
pancakes
pasta (cooked longer than al dente)
potatoes (mashed, boiled, creamed)
rice pudding
smoothies
vegetables (cooked until soft, mashed or pureed)
yogurt
Foods to avoid after implant surgery
Certain foods must be completely avoided for at least several weeks or longer if your dental implant doctor recommends you to - as these could cause discomfort or complications. These include:
anything spicy
particularly hot or cold food
anything acidic, like citrus or tomatoes
foods that are particularly crumbly or hard, such as popcorn, chips and crackers
foods which are sticky or chewy, including toffee and chewing gum
Stay hydrated after implant surgery
Our body needs plenty of water to remain healthy and staying properly hydrated is vital to your immune system and the healing process. Drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of liquid a day, and if you can stick to water, you will hydrate more efficiently.
Follow the advice of your dental implant doctor
After your dental implant surgery, you will be given specific aftercare advice to follow with regards to both your recovery and your post-operative diet. You should follow the guidance exactly as provided by your professional. If you have any questions about anything you have been told, ask our dental team before taking any action.
If you would like to know more about what to eat after implant surgery, our knowledgeable team would be happy to help you. Please telephone our offices today to discuss your query, or to arrange a consultation with our highly experienced dental implant provider, Dr. Jayson Haws.
