If you’re about to undergo dental implant surgery, you may be wondering about the dos and don’ts for eating after your procedure. As with many oral surgeries, what you can safely eat varies day-to-day for the first few months of your recovery. You’ll want to consult with your implant dentist after your surgery for more specific post-operative instructions. But in general, you can follow these guidelines:
Stick to a Soft Food Diet
The first few days after your surgery are crucial to the long-term success of your treatment. To avoid any unnecessary pressure or disturbance of the implant site, be sure to stick with a soft food diet. (A soft food diet is often recommended for the first three months after surgery, but especially so now.) Jell-O and pudding, protein shakes, bananas and peaches, apple sauce, steamed fish and tofu, yogurt, and scrambled eggs are all healthy options that aren’t tough on your mouth.
Avoid Hot Foods or Beverages
Along with a soft food diet, be sure the food you’re eating is also at a stable temperature. Hot foods can disturb the treatment site and can restrict proper healing, especially if the sensitive area becomes burned. Additionally, avoid hot liquids such as coffee, tea, and soups until they are room temperature. If you have to blow on your drink before you can take a sip, it’s too hot for your mouth! Don’t forget, AVOID using a straw for the first few days after surgery!
Keep Nutrition in Mind
You may have heard of dentists recommending ice cream and other sugary foods to eat after surgery. But don’t forget that your body needs all the nutrients it can get to heal quickly and get back to a proper level of health. Eating a nutritional diet also helps boost your immune system and fight off infection or viruses that could hinder your recovery and harm your overall health. Be sure to incorporate soft fruits and vegetables, proteins from soft meats, eggs, and yogurt, and other supplements and vitamins to your recovery diet.
Schedule Your Appointment
Have more questions about your diet after surgery? Schedule your Consultation in our Dental Offices in Phoenix, AZ to learn more from our dentists.
