In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the most important concepts to keep in mind when it comes to eating after dental implant surgery. This is a common question area that many patients have after having dental surgery of any kind, and the answers you get in terms of what you can eat and when you can eat it will vary depending on a few factors.
At Trimble Dental, we’re happy to provide dental implant surgery for a variety of Menomonie patients and their every need — plus full expertise on how to manage your mouth following any such procedure. While part one of our series went over some general timing themes and a word on hard foods, today’s part two will look at a few other important concepts that will generally be advisable with regard to food and eating following dental implants.
Stick to Naturally Soft Foods
Wherever possible, especially in the days immediately following your dental implant surgery, aim to stick to naturally soft foods. This means avoiding hard-to-chew foods like meat, but also more refined menu items like crusty breads and even potato chips.
You would be surprised how easy it can be to accidentally chip a tooth post-surgery if you’re not careful about what you’re eating and how you’re chewing. Rather than some of the options above, look for naturally soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, cheese, soups, yogurt and even certain fruits like bananas.
Meat Cravings
If you do have a meat craving, the general recommendation here is to go with a softer form of “meat,” ideally fish if you can get that. Salmon is a great choice, as it’s high in protein and also relatively easy to chew without worrying about accidentally nicking your new dental implants.
In addition, some patients might find that over time — as their implants settle in and the area around them heals — they can branch out a little bit and eat softer meat proteins. This will vary from patient to patient, so be sure to check with your dentist before making any such dietary changes on your own.
Avoid Acidic Options
For many patients, the dental implant surgery process is a time when they need to avoid acidic options that can cause irritation or discomfort in the mouth. This means avoiding foods like grapefruit and citrus, but also be careful with products like lemons and limes.
Given all of these factors — as well as any other individual advice you might receive from your dentist — you should be able to have a fairly smooth, easy transition back into your regular diet in the days and weeks following dental implant surgery. Check with your dentist for more advice on this topic and how best to keep your mouth healthy after any type of oral surgery.
To learn more about this or any of our dental implants or other general dentist services in Menomonie or nearby areas, speak to our team at Trimble Dental today.