The Post-Placement Diet for Dental Implants

Dental implants offer many health benefits, one of which is improved nutrition thanks to an expanded menu of safe foods. However, after your first placement, there’s still a little bit further left to go in your journey towards culinary freedom. Eating the wrong foods could disrupt the healing process, resulting in prolonged treatment or even implant failure.

To avoid complications and promote a smooth recovery, it’s best to listen to your dentist’s diet instructions. Keep reading to get a taste of what to expect.

Post-Op Menu Overview

In general, you’ll want to stick to soft, squishy, mild foods. Anything hard, chewy, or spicy could cause you discomfort at best, and treatment-interfering problems at worst. Most aren’t used to eating this way for long periods of time, so it might be difficult to think of ways to balance your nutrition and flavors. That’s what lists like this are for! Don’t be afraid to explore the internet for ideas if you get stuck with meal planning.

Protein Hacks

Proteins help you heal by repairing muscle, skin, and tissue. However, most meats are too tough, and nuts are too hard for newly placed implants. Instead, reach for:

• Soups with soft, small chunks of meat
• Flakey fish
• Oatmeal
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Scrambled eggs

Fish in particular can taste wildly different depending on the type, making it a good option for keeping things fresh.

Blend It ‘Till Ya Make It

No one would recommend blending just anything (can you imagine a hamburger smoothie? Gross!), but it is a good solution to keep in mind. Snapping vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower would otherwise be off-limits. Apples and seeded fruits like strawberries can also be more implant-friendly in their blended forms. If you do try to get versatile with your mixes, just be sure to blend thoroughly. Frozen chunks of fruits or veggies could still be painful if you’re not careful.

Did Someone Scream for Ice Cream?

Ice cream definitely counts as an easy-to-eat treat! While Moose Tracks and Rocky Road are not going to be your best choice, there are still plenty of fun flavors that don’t involve hard, frozen-solid pieces of candy or caramel. If you don’t feel like experimenting, there’s always good ‘ol vanilla and chocolate.

You should know, though, that dairy can trigger inflammation, which could harm your mouth. Best to play it safe and find lactose-free ice cream when possible.

Sticking to this diet can be tough. It’s possible to introduce harder, more solid foods as you progress, but this should be done carefully. Remember, you’re trying to avoid disturbing your implant; if the food hurts or your teeth feel tender, the timing’s not right. Listen to your body and your dentist, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the foods you missed during recovery thanks to strong, successful dental implants!

About the Practice

At Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh, we offer comprehensive services so we can help our patients with their oral health every step of the way. Our compassionate team will listen to your concerns and ensure your comfort during every visit. When it comes to dental implants, Dr. Dan Rairigh and Dr. Joshua Culver will put their advanced training to good use and provide quality results. If you have questions or concerns about your dental implant treatment, give our office a call at 412-854-2310.