It’s normal to feel a little nervous about getting dental implants, but rest assured, your provider will do everything they can to help you through the procedure successfully. For instance, they’ll numb your mouth first to help you feel calmer and more comfortable during your treatment.
Your dentist will also provide a list of post-operative instructions for you to follow that are intended to help you heal effectively while avoiding potential complications. For example, avoiding these 3 foods after your surgery can help prevent failure. Continue reading to learn more!
Option #1: Anything Too Hot
After your restoration is placed in your jawbone, your gums must form a blood clot over the site to heal properly. Unfortunately, eating overly hot meals can potentially damage or dislodge it, not to mention cause additional irritation.
Furthermore, eating a hot meal right after surgery, when your mouth is still numb from medications, might cause accidental burns to your lips, gums, or the insides of your cheeks. As a result, most dentists recommend sticking to cooler, more mildly flavored foods at first.
Option #2: Hard or Chewy Candy
If sugar is your comfort food, you might be disappointed to learn that candy is discouraged during your recovery period. These sweet treats attract harmful bacteria that can penetrate the tissues around your recently placed implant, which can trigger a painful infection. For example, you might develop peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure.
Not only that, but biting and chewing hard or chewy candies can push or pull your new tooth out of place. This can hinder the process of osseointegration, in which it fuses with your jawbone to become a more permanent part of your mouth, which is required for implant success. It may be more likely to become destabilized or dislodged as a result.
Option #3: Raw Fruits and Vegetables
Raw fruits and vegetables are full of helpful nutrients that support your oral and overall health, which can be beneficial under normal circumstances. However, if you have recently undergone implant surgery, biting into these hard foods can harm your restoration or contribute to additional aches or inflammation during your recovery period.
Thankfully, you can avoid potential problems by steaming, boiling, grilling, or blending them into a smoothie, which makes them easier to consume. Softly cooked fruits and veggies provide many advantageous vitamins and minerals without hurting your mouth. Just be sure to let them cool off before you eat them!
If you have additional questions about which foods are safe and which can be risky during implant recovery, you can contact your dentist’s office for more information!
About the Practice
At Pleasant Grove Family Dentistry, you and your loved ones benefit from two accomplished providers who are passionate about helping you build happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Marracino and Dr. Cockerell collaborate to provide a complete menu of services to meet your unique oral healthcare needs under one roof, including dental implants. They have the specialized training and state-of-the-art equipment to place and restore your new teeth in the office. If you need to replace missing teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (903) 838-9700.