Eating food after having dental implants placed is crucial to recovery. The body needs fuel to start making repairs; otherwise, the healing process might take longer. So when is the right time to start eating? We will investigate this question and provide some menu ideas for your recovery.
When Is the Right Time to Eat After Dental Implants?
The good news is that you can start eating as soon as you get home from our office. You will need to avoid any hot or cold foods or drinks in the first few hours after surgery, as this can irritate the sensitive tissues around the incision.
That said, you may feel too drowsy or uncomfortable to eat right away, especially if you were sedated for the procedure. That is perfectly fine, but it is important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Once you feel well enough to eat, you will need to stick to liquid foods for the first day or two after the procedure. You mustn’t use a straw, as this can dislodge the blood clots that have formed over the incision.
What to Eat on a Liquid Diet
During this liquid diet portion of recovery, some foods and drinks that are great for patients to consume include:
- Fruit juices
- Milk
- Jell-O
- Tea or coffee (but not too hot)
- Light soups, such as broth or purees
- Pudding
- Milkshakes or protein shakes
- Liquid supplements
- Popsicles
When Can I Start Adding in Soft Foods?
About the third day after your dental implants have been placed, you can add soft foods to your diet. These foods shouldn’t need to be chewed, but in any case, you should avoid using the implant area when eating.
While soft foods can add a lot of variety to the diet, you should still stay away from extremely hot or cold foods. Spice is also a definite no, which can greatly irritate the wound. Finally, foods with small particles like seeds can get stuck in the incision, so these should be avoided.
What to Eat on a Soft Food Diet
You can try the following foods during the soft food portion of recovery:
- Applesauce
- Avocado
- Mashed potatoes
- Pancakes
- Eggplant
- Muffins
- Pasta
- Cottage cheese
- Soft or soaked bread
- Tofu
- Eggs
When Can I Resume My Normal Diet After Dental Implants?
You can generally return to a regular diet about a week after the procedure. However, working up to hard or crunchy foods is best to give the mouth more time to heal. You should continue trying to avoid the implant area, as it may still be sensitive.
The dental implant diet may be a little inconvenient, but it is vital for helping the mouth heal properly during recovery. For more information on what to eat or to learn more about getting dental implants for yourself, call us at (801) 446-4428.
