When it comes to having dental implants, it is vital to know that there will be some time before you recover fully, and as such, you may need to alter your diet. There are different foods that you will need to avoid immediately after your implant surgery and doing so will help to reduce your recovery time and get you back to regular eating as quickly as possible.
Below are some of the foods that you should avoid after having your implants, as well as other types of food which you will be able to eat with no problem.
The First Six Hours After Surgery
Whether you have dental implants in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, or anywhere else in Australia, the procedure will be similar, as will the recommendations from your dentist. Fitting the implants is an intrusive procedure that will require pain medication to help numb your mouth, and it can take up to six hours for this to wear off.
Although you may not feel like eating much, if you do get hungry during this time, you can eat and drink any of the following items with no problems:
- Milkshakes & Smoothies
- Yogurt
- Ice Cream
- Mashed Potato
- Smooth Soups
- Any Soft Food Which Requires Little Chewing
After The First Six Hours
After the pain medication starts to wear off, there are other types of foods that you can eat also. You will want to select foods that are soft and comfortable for you to eat without any intense chewing, and the more liquid they are, the better. You will be able to eat pasta dishes if there are no chewy ingredients, and things like pancakes and eggs will be easy for you to eat. You will want to ensure that you increase your calories during this time to make sure that your body has plenty of energy to aid your recovery, and it is also vital to stay hydrated, so drink plenty of water.
Foods You Will Need To Avoid
You will need to avoid certain types of foods for some time until your mouth has healed fully, and some of these foods are as follows:
- Chewy Bread
- Tough Meat
- Crunchy Vegetables
- Corn On The Cob
- Crisps & Nuts
- Hard Candies
- Granola
- Very Hot Foods
You will not need to avoid these foods forever, just until your mouth has recovered enough. After your implants, your dentist will want to see you regularly to check on the progress and ensure that there are no complications, but there can be some foods such as crunchy or chewy bread and steaks which you will need to avoid until your dentist gives you the all-clear, which can take up to six months.
The length of your recovery is going to depend on the extent of the work which was done, how well you take care of your mouth after surgery, and your age, as the older we are, the longer it takes to heal. With some patience and a bit of luck, you will be able to eat whatever you like again once you get the all-clear from your dentist once the implants have fused with your jaw.
