What’s For Dinner: Foods To Eat After Your Dental Implant Surgery

Getting dental implant surgery can change your life for the better— but it’s important to understand the road to recovery before your journey begins. While dental implants are truly the gold standard in tooth replacement, the process of getting your new smile requires a few temporary lifestyle modifications along the way.

Dental implants will eventually heal and work just like natural teeth but before you’re ready to treat them as such, there are a few important stages you must prepare for, including what to (and what not to!) eat during the healing process. Here are some suggestions for foods, meal preparation and more to set you on the right road to recovery!

Setting The Stage for Optimal Healing

Eating a restricted diet during your dental implant surgery recovery is one of the best ways to optimize your healing while getting adjusted to your new teeth. On the other hand, eating the wrong foods can literally cause delays and complications in the healing process, so be sure to follow these guidelines for best results.

24 to 48 Hours After Surgery

For the first 24 to 48 hours following your dental implant procedure, it is imperative that you stick to cold liquids only. No warm or hot drinks or foods that require chewing are allowed, and do not under any circumstances use a straw, as this can prevent your incisions from clotting properly.

The first 48 hours are critical in the healing process, as this is the time when your gums are at the highest risk of inflammation and infection. It’s also the time when your gums will be the most tender and sore, so be sure to take this very seriously.

After 48 Hours

After the first 48 hours have passed, you are safe to expand your diet a bit to incorporate soft foods like:

• mashed potatoes
• scrambled eggs
• broth
• mashed bananas
• dairy-free smoothies
• apple sauce

After Several Days

After a few days post-op, you can again expand your menu to include foods like

• soft pasta
• shredded chicken or fish
• lukewarm cooked cereals like oatmeal or cream of wheat
• vegetables boiled or steamed to a soft, mushy consistency
• yogurt or ice cream

As You Heal

As you continue the healing process, you can slowly expand your diet to include more solid foods, however it is important to remember that people heal at different paces from dental implant surgery. Thus, it is very important to pace yourself and don’t overdo it when it comes to meals. With time, you can slowly begin to enjoy things like:

• soft, seedless fruits
• broiled fish
• soups and stews with soft meats and vegetables
• pancakes and waffles
• pasta
• soft breads and muffins

If you want your new smile to be healthy and beautiful, follow these guidelines to give yourself the best odds for a successful recovery. Your new smile will be healed and ready to indulge in your favorite foods again before you know it!

About Parkside Dental

Dr. John Moneyhun and his team of caring, compassionate staff are here to help you with all your oral health needs. From general dentistry to dental implants and beyond, Parkside Dental wants to make you and your family smile! For more information about dental implants or any other service, please visit our website or call us at 864-362-2306 today!