Whether you’ve received one or more implants, dental implants are a big step in improving your oral health. It’s important to be more cautious with what you eat within the first 10-14 days following implant surgery to ensure you get the most out of your implants.

Dr. Sayed recommends a soft diet that includes as little chewing as possible. Straws are off-limits, as the sucking action can promote bleeding of the gums. 

Restricting your diet doesn’t mean you’ll be limited on nutrients — delicious food options are still available, and many of them contain proper nutrition to support your healing process. This will also help kick-start a healthier lifestyle that can be pursued once your recovery is over.

Recommended Foods

For the first couple of weeks, it’s highly recommended to only eat soft foods while your gums are healing. Not only will this benefit you throughout your recovery period, but it will also help ensure your gums and implants are healthy in the long run. 

Dental implants are an investment in your health, so be sure you take as good of care of them as possible. Foods that are not only easier on your gums, but are healthy as well include:

• Vegetable soup that is low in sodium and packed with vegetables that are softened for easy chewing, not raw or too crunchy. Be careful the soup isn’t too hot, as burning your gums could prolong the healing process.
• Greek yogurt is packed with protein and it’s a tasty option during your recovery period. You can add some soft fruit and honey to sweeten the yogurt.
• Protein shake/smoothie with whey powder, fruits, and veggies will help power you towards recovery and your nutrition goals. When adding juice, be sure to choose one that’s lower in sugar.
• Scrambled eggs are an easy, healthy choice to jump-start your day. Add some shredded cheese and hot sauce for more flavor.
• Ground beef and chicken are loaded with protein and will leave you satisfied for at least a couple of hours. You can also chop your food into smaller pieces in order to minimize stress on your gums and new implants.
• Applesauce is considered a dessert for the post-procedural diet and the cooling sensation can relieve any gum discomfort. Be sure to get a brand that’s low in sugar, as some types of applesauce can dilute its nutrients with a sugar overload.

What To Stay Away From

Some of these may seem obvious, but it’s crucial to stress the importance of post-procedural care. These foods are either too hard for your tender gums, easily get stuck between teeth, or are a combination of the two:

• Popcorn has a tendency to get lodged between teeth, causing gum irritation and prolonging healing time.
• Seeds and nuts offer some nutritional value, but they tend to be harder in texture and could irritate your gums or cause them to swell.
• Chips don’t add much nutrition and their sharp edges won’t fare well with your tender gums.
• Hard candy has practically zero nutritional value and sucking on it can cause bleeding by putting unnecessary stress on the gums.

It’s critical to be cautious when picking your diet. These foods tend to get stuck in between your teeth, causing irritation to your healing gums. They can also damage your gums.

Prioritizing Your Health

Not all patients will heal the same way — there are a number of factors that come into play including the care and maintenance of your gums and teeth. Even if you’re feeling better after a few days, don’t jump right into your normal eating habits.

This is an opportunity to experiment with new, healthy foods that can enhance your mood and quality of life. This will allow you to take proper care of them to ensure they last as long as possible. 

It’s essential to maintain a combination of proper diet and oral hygiene, which involves eating the right foods, regular brushing and flossing, and minimizing tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

How Dr. Sayed Can Help

Are you missing any teeth? Dental implants are a long-lasting, durable solution that blends in with your natural smile. Dr. Sayed offers solutions for you and your unique lifestyle.

If you have questions, contact our Birmingham office at 248-838-1143 or simply fill out our contact form. We’re more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your oral health.