Can You Eat with A Dental Implant?

The white pearls in our mouths are one of the core supporting structures of our face and the true essence of our smile. Missing either is an absolute loss to both mouth and face. Dental implants are a procedure to replace teeth that help improve oral and mouth functions, just as you had with your natural teeth.

Like any other procedure, the significance lies in applying proper post-operative care and instructions, such as how to eat with a dental implant. This article will answer some common questions about what to eat with a dental implant.

How Soon Can I Eat After a Dental Implant?

When the implants are placed, the gums will be sore and tender. What matters most is to give yourself some time so the healing process is fulfilled. It is best recommended to stay on a liquid diet for the first 24 hours in particular and avoid items that are more difficult to chew if you plan to eat with your dental implant.

Remember to avoid using a straw because sucking can displace blood clots in the surgical area. Three to fourteen days – Continue drinking cool liquids.

How Long After Implants Can You Eat Normally?

It is vital to let your mouth heal before shifting back to your regular diet, but you can go back to your eating habits about a week after getting the implants. That will give your mouth and jaw enough time to heal. In the meantime, try to avoid foods that are sticky and/or hard to chew. Once you fully recover from the dental implant procedure in Phoenix, you will be able to have whatever you want and enjoy all types of food.

What Can You Eat After Implants?

Right after the procedure, you will need to stick to soft foods, cold drinks, and beverages, and no hot liquids for the first 24 hours. Soft textures are easy to chew and don’t irritate the gums. So, they are the first choice to eat with a dental implant. It is best to stick to foods that do not need any chewing and are rich in nutrients, such as:

• Cool Liquid Foods include Pudding, Jellies, Fruit juices, Milk and Milkshakes.
• Smoothies are nutritious and filling. They can be packed with necessary vitamins and don’t require chewing.
• Soft Foods include cold soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pasta (spaghetti, elbow macaroni), cooked cereals, oatmeal, steamed vegetables, and blended broths.

What Foods or Drinks to Avoid after a Dental Implant?

• Hard Fruits and Vegetables, including Raw fruits, although nutritious, should be avoided because they are hard to chew. Instead, stick with soft, seedless fruits like bananas, peas, mangoes, pears and peaches.
• Crunchy Snacks such as Popcorn, Chips, nuts, and seeds might cause inflammation and discomfort.
• Sticky Sweets such as taffy and caramel as they tend to stick to the surgical area and cause infection and discomfort.
• Spicy Foods can cause irritation, increase the risk of infection, and slow down the recovery process. It is best to avoid anything that includes spices.
• Alcohol can slow down the healing process and contribute to increased swelling. It could also even have severe interactions with your post-op pain medications.
• Dairy products, including milk or yogurt, can cause inflammation in the oral tissues, further damaging the gums and teeth. They are also known to trigger nausea and vomiting, so they should be avoided.

Note: It is important to prioritize what to eat or drink with a dental implant. Avoid drinking hot coffee and tea with your dental implant because they dilate blood vessels, which leads to increased blood flow and blood pressure. This can increase the risk of bleeding and dislodging the blood clot at the surgical area site.

What is the Best Food after Implants?

Immediately after a dental implant, pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and other soft, liquid foods are recommended. This decreases the risk of biting your tongue or lips in case the effects of the anesthesia have not worn off yet. DO NOT hurry to get back to eating normal foods while planning to eat with your dental implant.

Why No Dairy after Dental Implant?

After your dental implant procedure and before you dive into your favorite cheese or ice cream, there’s a little advice you might want to hear. Dairy products might not be the best choice right after your implant procedure. Why? Well, it boils down to bacteria. Dairy, especially the creamy, sticky kinds, can stick around your new implant, setting up a cozy spot for bacteria to grow. Keeping things clean and bacteria-free is key to making sure your implant sticks around for the long haul. So, for now, it might be a good idea to give dairy a pass.

Can Food Get Stuck in the Implant?

Implants are actually sealed in place, so it is difficult for any food to get stuck underneath them when you eat with a dental implant. Nonetheless, it is not impossible if the implant was placed improperly. If you feel your implant is unsettled, let us know at Atrium Dental in Ahwatukee, Phoenix, AZ, for an evaluation right away.

Why Do Dental Implants Hurt When Eating?

Several different factors can cause pain after dental implants. When you eat with a dental Implant, it is normal to have pain and swelling initially, but after a few months, you certainly should be able to eat without pain and not lose weight.

Schedule Your Free Consultation at Atrium Dental in Phoenix

Our professional team at Atrium Dental at Phoenix offers high-quality dental care services to our patients. Our devoted staff will do their best to make sure our patients feel at home and have a pleasant experience with us. If you plan to have a dental implant and do not know the after care process and what to know what to eat with a dental implant, book your online appointment to get your consultation as soon as possible.

Conclusion

After having a dental implant, you have to be careful and patient during the first few days. You need to have soft and un-chewy food and cold liquids and avoid alcohol and caffeine-based drinks. Make sure your diet has enough protein to boost your immune level as well. After the first week has passed, you can slowly return to your daily diet.

FQAs

Can you eat rice after dental implant surgery?

After the first couple of weeks, you can begin to have a more normal range of foods in your daily routine diet, which can also include cooked grains like rice and pasta.

Can we eat ice cream after the Dental implant?

Ice cream is a good choice because it is cold and soft. However, because dairy products are not recommended after dental implants, it is best not to have a moderate amount.

Can I drink milk after a dental implant?

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can irritate the implant area and slow down healing. They may also increase the risk of infection by trapping food particles around the implant site.

Why is it so important to focus on protein intake after dental implant?

Adding protein to your diet is crucial during the healing process. It not only builds and repairs the affected tissues but also helps the body fight infection.

How can I add protein to a soft-food diet?

As meat and nuts are not recommended after an implant, you can add eggs, peanut butter, avocado, or protein powder to smoothies to increase your protein intake when you have to eat with a dental implant.