When you finally get your dental implants placed, you are a step closer to the full smile you dream of. What’s next is your recovery and the post itself fusing to your jawbone. This process can take a bit, so you should do your part in making sure you heal smoothly. What you eat can have an impact, as several foods can cause trouble and irritate your mouth. Here are five items you should skip after your procedure.
1.) Hard-to-Chew Meats
A juicy steak or pork chop might be one of your favorite foods, but they are often tougher meats to chew. You will need to work on them and other similar cuts for a long while before you can swallow them. This can make your mouth sore or cause discomfort. Instead, tenderize them, cut them into smaller pieces, or choose softer proteins!
2.) Crunchy Snacking Options
You might enjoy a bag of chips or nuts as a quick and tasty snack, but their crunch is what makes them a problem. They need a stronger bite force while also possibly breaking off into sharp pieces. These can put too much pressure on your replacement or injure your gums. Simply avoid them for the time being and choose softer items, like ripe peaches or bananas.
3.) Sticky Sweets
If you enjoy candies like caramel, taffy, or gummies, then you might want to steer clear of them. They can cling to your grin easily and pull at your implant. They can also trap bacteria against your teeth, increasing your risk of failure or an infection.
4.) Spicy Foods
Many people like some kick to their food. You may enjoy your meals to be a little spicy, but you might want to dial it back to mild or mellow. Hot peppers and the like can make your gums tender and inflamed. They can become irritated and cause discomfort while you are healing.
5.) Any Hot Options
Your meals in general shouldn’t be too hot, temperature-wise. While you might burn your mouth with them, they also increase blood flow around the implant site. You might bleed or swell more, so make sure you allow your food to cool down or keep it lukewarm.
In the end, you are a step closer to the full smile you love. It will take several months for you to finish this step of the treatment plan, but you can slowly start to reintroduce the items above into your diet. Listen to your body, though, so if you notice discomfort, then wait just a bit longer. Give yourself the time you need to heal, and you’ll get to enjoy them once again soon.
About the Practice
At Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics, you benefit from a skilled team of dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are happy to help those in the McKinney community replace their missing teeth with reliable options like dental implants. By completing the entire process in-house, you stay with a team you trust that will help you get to the results you want. If you have any questions about recovery after your placement surgery, schedule an appointment or call our office at (469) 526-4040.