Thanks to dental implants, any gap in your grin doesn’t have to be permanent. You can easily replace your missing teeth with this amazing creation of modern dentistry. These screw-shaped titanium posts are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace any number of missing teeth you may have. However, because it’s a surgical procedure, there are some limits on what you should and shouldn’t eat after getting dental implants in Harrisburg. Keep reading to learn what those limits are.
Foods to Enjoy
The anesthesia and pain medication you were on to receive your dental implant may delay your appetite for a while after surgery. You can resume eating whenever you feel hungry. However, it’s best to stick to a soft food diet. This is because any hard foods could dislodge the implant while it’s still in the process of fusing to your jawbone. Some safe options include:
- Oatmeal
- Soup
- Pudding
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- Yogurt, milkshakes, and ice cream
- Mashed or boiled potatoes
- Muffins without seeds or nuts
- Melons, bananas, and other soft fruits
It’s also a great idea to drink plenty of water while you’re still healing, whether or not you feel hungry. Water helps your body become stronger against infections that could develop in your gum tissue after implant surgery. Although the odds of this happening are low, it never hurts to be prepared.
Foods to Avoid
For several weeks after your implant surgery, you should stay away from foods that could interfere with osseointegration, the process by which your implant fuses with your jawbone. In general, avoid foods that could cause the implant to dislodge before it’s fully attached. That includes foods like:
- Spicy foods that could irritate the implant site
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages
- Chewy or sticky foods, including chewing gum
- Crunchy foods like crackers, chips, and cookies
- Acidic items like soft drinks, citrus, and tomatoes
- Sugary foods and beverages
How to Take Care of Your Dental Implant
After you get your implant placed, you might have to wait three to six months for osseointegration to be complete and you to be ready to receive your dental crown. During that time, it’s best to brush and floss every day (although stay away from the surgical site for the first 24 hours following surgery). If you smoke or chew tobacco, this would be a great reason to stop. If you need help, your dentist in Harrisburg has the resources to assist you.
It may be hard to avoid some of these foods, but it will be worth it when you have a fully integrated tooth replacement for life! Stick to the tips listed above and you should be good to go!
About the Author
Dr. Gary M. Klein earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry before finishing a one-year residency in general dentistry at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. Now he practices at Klein Family Dentistry in Harrisburg, PA. Incisal Edge Magazine has recently named him one of the top 40 dentists in the whole country. He is more than qualified to perform the entire dental implant process at his practice without having to refer you to an outside specialist. For more information about dental implants, you can contact Dr. Klein at (717) 652-6644.