Eating After Implant Surgery: Do’s and Don’ts

Once your implant surgery is done, the hard part is over! Next, you’ll begin an important healing process called osseointegration. Your recovery is vital because it allows your implants to permanently fuse to the jawbone, giving you a full, strong, and beautiful smile for decades to come. However, you must follow your dentist’s post-op instructions, including what not to eat. Read on to learn the foods you should avoid eating for a smooth, trouble-free recovery.

Foods to Avoid!

One of the best steps you can take toward successful osseointegration is eating a proper diet. Some foods can not only damage your implants, but they can cause pain and even implant failure. That’s why you should steer clear of:

• Hot/spicy foods: These items can irritate the surgical site, getting in the incision and causing discomfort.
• Alcohol: Adult beverages delay the healing process because they dry out the mouth. Alcohol can also increase sensitivity and swelling after implant surgery.
• Chewy/sticky foods: Avoid candy like taffy, toffy, caramel, or any other items that are chewy or sticky. These foods require lots of chewing, which can hurt your smile and potentially cause implant failure.
• Hard snacks: Popcorn, nuts, chips, and sweets are some of the worst foods you can eat. These often break into tiny pieces that can get stuck in the surgical site, causing risk of an infection.

Foods You Can Eat

Meal prepping is a good way to avoid no-no foods that can damage your implants. You can do this even before your surgery when you’re feeling 100%. Broth-based soups are a great option for hearty, calming meals during healing that are easy to consume. Just made sure your soup isn’t too hot! Additionally, apple sauce, yogurt, and oatmeal are go-to snacks you should have on hand. Avoid adding nuts, oats, or other items to these foods because they can irritate the surgical site. Plus, don’t forget about delicious, creamy mashed potatoes. Super easy to make beforehand, and rich in fiber, mashed potatoes are a soothing side dish for lunch or dinner.

Other Things to Consider…

When it comes to letting your dental implants heal, the key is to leave them undisturbed. Do your best not to touch them with your fingers or tongue. You should also try to chew on the other side of your mouth if possible. To manage discomfort and keep your mouth clean, you can mix about 1 tsp of salt into water and gently swish it around in your mouth. If you ever feel sore after eating, apply a cold-compress or ice pack to the side of your face to numb pain and ease swelling.

Ready to make your implant recovery a breeze? Just remember these tips for a smile-friendly diet so you can enjoy your full set of teeth for the rest of your life!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Ulysses L. Marable III is a skilled dentist in Fort Valley who provides the best tooth replacement options available. He has completed advanced training through Zimmer Biomet and the Trinnon Collegium Practicum, allowing him to place and restore dental implants. For any questions, he can be reached through his website or by phone at (478) 825-3000.