Taking Care Of Your Dental Implants

Congratulations on your new dental implants. Whether you received only one or a couple implants, dental implants are a big step in improving your oral health overall.

Now that you have your new chompers, you’re going to want to be more cautious with what you eat within the first 10-14 days. Your gum tissue is going to be tender for a couple weeks, so it’s important to let your gums heal to ensure you get the most out of your implants. A soft diet that includes as little chewing as possible is recommended. Straws are off limits, as the sucking action can promote bleeding of the gums.

Just because you are limited in what you can eat does not mean you will be limited on nutrients. Numerous food options are still available, and many of them contain the proper nutrition to assist with your healing process. Additionally, following a strict diet and refraining from substances that can increase your risk of cancer can help kick-start a healthier lifestyle that can be pursued once your recovery time is over.

Recommended Foods

For the first couple weeks, it is highly recommended to only eat softer foods while your gums heal from the procedure. Not only will this benefit you throughout your recovery period, it will help ensure your gums and implants are healthy in the long run. Dental implants are an investment, so be sure you take as good of care of them as possible.

Below is a list of recommended foods that are not only easier on your gums, but are healthy as well:

• Vegetable soup: Pick a reliable, healthy option that is low in sodium, or experiment and make your own batch. Be careful the soup isn’t too hot, as burning your gums could prolong the healing process. Ensure that vegetables are softened for easy chewing, and not raw or too crunchy.
• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is packed with protein and is a tasty option during your recovery period. Add some soft fruit and honey to sweeten the yogurt.
• Protein shake/smoothie: Probably one of the best options, a protein drink 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 is lower in sugar.
• Scrambled eggs: Easy to prepare and easier to eat, eggs are a healthy choice to jump-start your day. Add some shredded cheese and hot sauce for more flavor.
• Ground beef and chicken: You can also chop your food into smaller pieces in order to minimize stress on your gums and new implants. These foods are loaded with protein and will leave you satisfied for at least a couple hours.
• Applesauce: Considered a dessert for the post procedural diet, the consistency of applesauce won’t be an issue, and the cooling sensation can relieve any gum discomfort. Be sure to get a brand that is low in sugar, as some 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, get easily stuck between teeth, or are a combination of the two:

• Popcorn: While some varieties can be lighter and healthier, they have a tendency to get lodged between teeth. This can cause gum irritation and prolong the healing time.
• Seeds and nuts: While offering some nutritional value, they tend to be harder in texture and could irritate or cause your gums to swell.
• Chips: They don’t add much nutrition, and their sharp edges would not pair well with your tender gums.
• Hard candy: Practically zero nutritional value, any hard candy would be a bad choice. Not only can you not bite down on them, but sucking on candy can cause bleeding by putting unnecessary stress on the gums.

While it may seem obvious which foods to avoid, it’s very important to be cautious when picking your diet. Not only does the texture have a negative impact on your recovery, but these foods tend to get stuck in between your teeth, causing irritation to your healing gums.

Also, if you have any habits that contribute to an increased risk of oral cancer such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or heavy drinking, do everything you can to minimize the use of these substances. Not only can they threaten the health of your natural teeth, but also the dental implants you paid for. These substances can damage your gums, and are correlated with higher rates of cancer.

Continued Health

It’s important to note that not all patients will heal the same. There are a number of factors that come into play when it comes to recovery time, mainly the care and maintenance of the patient’s gums and teeth. Even if you are 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. Since your implants are an investment, you are going to want to take proper care of them to ensure they last a lifetime. This maintenance includes a combination of diet and oral hygiene, which involves eating the right foods and minimizing tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

How We Can Help

If you’re in the Pittsburgh, PA area, contact Dr. Dugan and Dr. Sweeney to see if dental implants would be a good option for you. We will do all we can to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding oral health and dental implants.