Dental implants are getting more and more popular around the world as the most durable tooth restoration method. Replacing your lost teeth with dental implants allows easier eating, drinking, communication, and improved appearance. Before the surgery, the patient may need to do some preparation, including diet changes, quitting smoking, gum disease treatment, if any. It is also necessary for you to be aware of what to eat after dental implant surgery.
Having the right diet during your implant healing time speeds up your recovery, reduces the risk of dangerous complications, as well as helps maintain your implants for a long time. This article will provide you with the overview of a dental implant surgery, what you are supposed to have and not to have post-procedure, and how to take good care of the new implants. Wait no more, read on and find out with us Sydney Dental!
1. What is a dental implant and why is it done?
Generally speaking, dental implants play as the substitute roots for your teeth. They bring patients a strong base for permanent or detachable false teeth that are designed to match your original ones.
Those who have lost one or more teeth can find dental implants helpful. A dental implant is also needed if you have missing teeth as a result of:
- Tooth decay, also called cavities;
- Breaks in the tooth roots;.
- Teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism;
- Periodontal conditions;
- Injuries to the face;
- Innate tooth loss (born with some teeth missing).
A typical dental implant usually consists of:
- A dental implant body, surgically placed in the jawbone to substitute for the tooth’s root.
- A dental implant abutment, bonded to the implant body via the abutment fixation screw that goes across your gums into the mouth.
- An ceramic tooth, which is attached to the abutment on top, making the implant one whole functional piece.
How long is the recovery time for a dental implant?
The length of the recovery varies depending on the particular case. However, the majority of receivers can go back to their routine activities in three days though it requires a few months for your jawbone to fuse completely with the dental implant. This is known as osseointegration and is key to the durability of the implant for the long run.
The dentist will check your implant progress post-procedure on a periodic basis. If the implant has successfully fused with the jaw, it is okay to add the restoration on top of it. Implant failure may happen if the tooth restoration is done too soon.
2. Diet following a dental implant surgery
Protein to promote healing
Protein is a very helpful nutrient that plays the main role in forming collagen in the body. Collagen helps repair and regenerate bone and gum tissue after a dental implant surgery. Protein also works to fight infection as it helps generate antibodies for the body’s immune system.
Over the course of your initial recovery phase, you can give the body more protein by adding items like yogurt, avocado, almond, peanut butter, or protein powder to your smoothies. When you are ready for soft items, you can have protein-rich foods, like:
- Tofu;
- Beans;
- Eggs.
Foods rich in vitamin C for a faster recovery
Multiple nutrients and vitamins can boost your healing and vitamin C stands out among them. It is scientifically backed that taking in vitamin C, either through foods or supplements during the recovery of surgery is particularly of great help to patients. Vitamin C also works on limiting the risk of post-surgery complications.
Apart from vitamin C, other vitamins and minerals can also be added to speed up your healing phase. These are as follows:
- Vitamin D;
- Vitamin A;
- Zinc;
- Calcium.
Nutrition-rich meals right after dental implants
It is best that the dental implant receiver takes up a nutritious diet shortly after the procedure as soon as their healing phase begins. As your gums are still tender and sensitive in the first two days after surgery, it is recommended that you go with liquid foods to protect the surgical area while still getting enough nutrition that boosts your healing.
Post-operative diet: The first two days
Your gums heal and swelling starts to go away in the first 2 days after your dental implant surgery. During this time, one should refrain from high temperature foods and drinks. Also, using straws is not recommended as it may disrupt your healing. If you have had a bone graft or sinus lift in preparation for a dental implant surgery, it is no straw for at least a month. Chunky foods are also a bad move during this time. All-liquid should be your safest diet, such as:
- Meal replacement beverages;
- Protein drinks;
- Broths and soups;
- Smoothies from fruit or veggies;
- Yogurt.
Post-operative diet: After the first two days
After the first two days, you can start eating soft foods that allow you not to chew, like yogurt, cheese, cottage, mousse, mashed potatoes, and soup. If you see that the gums are healing well, you can introduce more solid items into your diet, including:
- Tofu;
- Pasta;
- Beans;
- Leafy greens;
- Nutless muffins;
- Porridge;
- Eggs;
- Grilled fish and chicken.
3. Foods to limit after a dental implant surgery
Now that you are aware of what to have after dental implants, let’s get to what you should steer away from to prevent disruption during your healing process.
3.1 Chewables
The first week following the procedure is the most sensitive time and you should be really careful with your surgical site. Therefore, avoiding foods that require you to chew is the best way to allow your gums to heal. Let the implants fuse with your body before you put any force on them.
Your go-to choices at this time are soft and liquid foods such as smoothies and soups for a week or two. Try to put away the crunchies for the meantime.
3.2 Hot foods
You should stay away from hot foods following the dental implant procedure as heat makes the fixtures more fragile and slows down the clotting process that is the gateway to healing. Such foods also lead to soreness, pain, and irritations to the surgical site. It is better for you to go with warm foods that have cooled down after some time of heating.
3.3 Using straws
Liquids should be good for your recovery. However, try to not use straws to drink liquids as any slight force to the gums will result in bruising to the fresh surgical wound. Just have your liquids the old way from the cup or using a spoon, which is even better.
Spicy foods
Unfortunately, you have to kiss your spicy foods goodbye for a while after the dental implant. Similar to hot foods, these items can irritate or worsen the soreness in the affected area. A worse-case scenario is the heavy seasoning may cause an infection that will take a toll on your recovery.
3.4 Tough meat
After the two-week mark, it should be okay for you to enjoy most foods. However, you should continue to avoid ribs, steak, and other tough meat for the entire healing time. This is because the tough meat requires aggressive chewing, and thereby damaging your new dental implants.
3.5 You don’t really have an appetite, what to do now?
It is not an uncommon thing for patients to experience some loss of appetite following their dental implant surgery. Your appetite will come back over time. However, you should try to eat the bare minimum during this time as not getting enough nutrition can hurt your healing and increase the risk of complications.
4. The aftercare for an implant surgery
Considering dental implants are like the real deal, proper care includes brushing, flossing, rinsing on a daily basis and periodic oral visits. You can help your dental work — and remaining natural teeth — last longer if you:
- Commit to thorough oral hygiene. Try to keep your dental implants, false teeth, and gum tissue clean just like your original teeth by bruising, flossing, and rinsing on a daily basis;
- Pay regular visits to the dentist. Have checkups with the dental provider to make sure your implants are functioning properly and healthy. Also receive in-clinic cleanings as advised by the dentist;
- Avoid poor dental habits. Avoid chewing on hard foods, like ice or hard candy because these can cause breakage to your restoration like crows or even your original teeth. Also refrain from tobacco and products containing caffeine to prevent staining of teeth. If you have bruxism, meaning you grind or clench teeth, seek medical attention.
5. A word from Sydney Dental
Hopefully this read has provided you with a good idea of what to eat and avoid during your recovery from a dental implant surgery. If you are still unsure of which treatment to go with for a new unforgettably stunning smile in your particular case, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are at 499-501 Ba Hat St, Ward 8, District 10, HCMC looking forward to your visit. You may also call us at (028) 3504 9440 for a free no-obligation comprehensive consultation. Your pretty, shiny smile is 100% guaranteed at Sydney Dental!
