Once you get dental implant surgery, you may be excited to be past the nerve-racking part. Now, you’ll have to look forward to recovering while your jawbone fuses around the post. This process does take some patience, and the food you eat can affect it. It’s important to avoid certain ones to ensure you don’t irritate the implant site, disrupt it, or slow down your healing! Here are five that you should keep off your plate for the time being.
Tough Meats
The main course of many meals is often a protein staple, such as steak or pork. They may be tasty and fulfilling, but they are tough against your teeth. You may need to chew them excessively, which can cause discomfort or strain. Instead, tenderize or cut them into thin slices to enjoy them safely. You can always opt for softer ones as well!
Crunchy Foods
You may enjoy chips or nuts as a snack for their satisfying crunch, but they put pressure on your implant site. Other similar foods do the same, but pieces of them may break off into sharp points or edges, which can irritate your gums! If you are one to indulge in these types of foods, try your best to avoid them and stick to gentler things.
Sticky Sweets
Many people have a sweet tooth they need to fulfill. Gummies, taffy, and caramel are loved options, but these candies get stuck in your teeth easily. Not only can they trap bacteria against your smile, but they can even pull at your healing tooth replacement! You may be at a higher risk of infection or implant failure.
Spicy Options
If you enjoy a spicy kick to your food, then you may want to consider lowering it to a milder experience. Hot peppers and the like can inflame your gums while they are already tender. This can lead to irritation and swelling, making your recovery more uncomfortable than it needs to be!
Hot Things
Although this category is a bit broader than the rest, the heat from them can burn your mouth and increase blood flow. This may not seem bad, but you may experience bleeding or swelling because of it. Be sure to wait a couple of minutes to let items like tea, coffee, and soup cool down to a more manageable level.
As your dental implant fuses to your jawbone over the next several months, you may be able to start slowly introducing them back into your diet. Avoiding them flat out is a temporary thing, but pay attention to how you feel when you eat. If you notice any discomfort, then you aren’t ready to enjoy them fully just yet. Take it easy and be patient; that way, your new smile is set up for success.
About the Practice
At Penn Dental Arts, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Ronak Patel and Dr. Joseph Gaspari. With over 60 years of combined experience, we are happy to treat the Bethlehem community with the highest-quality care they deserve. We offer dental implants as a reliable way to replace missing teeth, completing the entire process in-house. If you want to learn how you can keep your recovery after placement surgery smooth, schedule an appointment or call our office at (484) 406-3110.