If you’ve recently undergone dental implant surgery, it’s likely that you’ve been dealing with painful, decayed, or missing teeth for quite some time. And while getting new teeth isn’t possible, dental implants offer the only solution that comes close by fully restoring your oral functionality. They also have the longest lifespan compared to other restoration treatments. However, before you can resume eating, smiling, and talking without any concerns, there’s one more obstacle to overcome: the healing process after surgery.

During this period, you will need to make dietary adjustments to accommodate the implants and ensure proper healing of the surgical site. But don’t worry! Dr. Silegy has prepared a comprehensive guide that will assist you in understanding what to eat after dental implant surgery and what you can anticipate in the following days and weeks.

How Soon After Dental Implant Surgery Can You Eat Normally?

Most patients can return to a normal diet within three to six months after the surgery. However, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet and avoid foods and beverages that can harm your implants. Your dental surgeon may recommend a customized post-surgery diet based on your specific needs.

What Can You Eat After All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Immediately after the surgery, patients must stick to a soft-food diet. You can eat foods that require little to no chewing, such as pureed soups, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and yogurt. Your mouth may be sore and swollen after the surgery, so you should avoid hot and spicy foods that will only serve to further inflame the affected tissues.

You can enjoy smoothies sipped from a glass, cold soups eaten with a spoon, or even a cool treat like ice cream. These foods are safe for your implant and the chilly temperature can help soothe any inflammation in your mouth. Here are some ideal options during this time:

  • Applesauce
  • Gazpacho
  • Fruit juice
  • Jello
  • Milk/milkshakes

It’s also important to avoid using a straw for the first few days as sucking can dislodge the blood clot and increase your risk of developing a painful condition called dry socket.

What to Eat in the Weeks After Implant Surgery?

After the initial few days, you can gradually add more solid foods to your diet. During this time, you should still avoid hard and chewy foods that may shift the titanium implants in your mouth before they’ve had time to fully incorporate into the jawbone—at which point they reach optimal stability. Instead, opt for foods like cooked vegetables, scrambled eggs, and soft fish or chicken.

Your dental surgeon may recommend eating more protein-rich foods to aid in the growth of new bone tissue. Incorporating soft cheese and lean meats into your diet is an excellent way to get the necessary nutrients.

See also: Dental implants in a day

Foods to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery?

Avoiding certain foods in the weeks following surgery is crucial to the success of your implant. Hard, crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn, and chips can interfere with your implants’ healing process. You should also avoid sticky, gooey foods like caramel and chewy candy that can twist or dislodge your implants.

Acidic and sugary foods can also irritate your gums and delay the healing process. Cutting down on soda, coffee, and sweetened beverages can help to maintain better dental hygiene overall.

The Importance of Good Nutrition After Dental Implant Surgery

With all the rules in place for a post-op diet, it might feel challenging to find suitable meals at the right time. Nevertheless, maintaining a proper diet is important to improve recovery time and energy levels in the months following surgery. Consuming nutritious meals, particularly those abundant in protein, supplies your body with the necessary materials to construct new tissues and fully integrate your new dental implant. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining a healthy diet:

  • Regularly eat and drink to sustain energy levels and maintain overall physical well-being.
  • If you struggle to consume enough protein with your post-op eating habits, consider incorporating powdered or liquid protein supplements into your meals or between meals.
  • It is important to adhere to the post-dental implant diet, even if you find the options limited or become bored or frustrated.
  • Following a soft-food diet for the prescribed duration is more beneficial for your long-term health and comfort.

How to Care for Dental Implants

As with natural teeth, proper dental care and regular dental check-ups are essential to the success and longevity of your implants. Make sure to brush twice a day, floss daily, and maintain healthy eating habits.

All-on-4 dental implant surgery can be an effective solution to restore your smile and oral function. However, proper diet and nutrition are essential to the success of the procedure. Knowing what to eat and avoid and maintaining healthy eating habits can help ensure the longevity of your newly implanted teeth.

If you have any questions or concerns about the post-surgery diet, Dr. Silegy is here to help you better understand the limitations and eventual successes of all-on-4 implant surgery. Dr. Silegy is the top All-on-4 dentist in Long Beach, with hundreds of successful procedures in a comfortable, state-of-the-art clinic. Join our growing list of satisfied patients and let us restore your smile! Call today to learn more.