After years of living with an incomplete smile, you finally have your dream one by getting dental implants in Rolling Meadows. After the surgery and placement of your new teeth, you’re on your road to recovery and want to do everything you can to make sure your mouth heals healthily so your smile stays how it is. Now it’s time to plan your menus for the next couple weeks, and you’re wondering what would be best to pick up from the grocery store. Learn about the best and worst foods to eat while you’re recovering from dental implant surgery.
Things to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery
After most surgeries, you have to take care of yourself a little differently so that your body has enough time to heal properly. After dental implant placement, don’t skip meals because you aren’t sure what to eat. However, in order for your new teeth to be strong and healthy, it’s a good idea to avoid the following:
- Solid Foods – for the first few days, try to avoid these to allow your gums to heal. Staying away from foods like nuts, chips, dried fruits, etc. can aid in a speedy recovery.
- Anything Hot in Temperature— can cause your gums to become inflamed.
- Tobacco use – after you get your implants can drastically delay your healing process and increase your risk of developing infections. It’s also possible that by smoking after your procedure, you could keep the implant from bonding with the bone in the root of your tooth. In short, it’s best to quit using tobacco, whether smoking or chewing, if you’re able to.
- Consuming Alcohol – causes your blood to thin, which could slow down your recovery. Additionally, if you are prescribed any kind of medicine by your dentist, it will most likely not mix with alcohol.
- Using Straws – put strain on your jaw and can affect how your dental implants heal. It’s best to cut them out altogether.
Taking heed of these tips can help get you on the track to a speedy recovery so you can start enjoying all the perks that your implants have to offer.
The Best Kinds Of Foods To Eat After Surgery
After surgery, it’s best to stay on a soft food diet for about 2 weeks while you wait for your mouth to heal. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of foods you can eat other than Jell-O and mashed potatoes! Even though the food may be soft, it’s best to also consider whether it’s hot, spicy, or if it has small seeds in it to see if it will affect your healing process. Here are some foods that can help make your recovery process easier:
- Avocadoes
- Baked fruits and vegetables
- Baked beans
- Bananas
- Softened cereal in milk
- Cheeses
- Creamed soups (not too hot)
- Crescent rolls
- Eggplant
- Eggs
- Soft French toast
- Soft hash browns
- Hummus
- Banana bread
- Milkshakes
- Soft muffins
- Oatmeal
- Pudding
- Soft tamales or enchiladas (not spicy)
- Yogurt
With so many options, two weeks of recovery will be a breeze and you won’t have to suffer after your surgery! Your dentist in Rolling Meadows can help and you can enjoy your diet and a speedy recovery when you follow these basic tips and tricks. Keeping your new smile healthy means you can enjoy it for longer.
About the Author
Dr. Ye Wang has been providing patients with the highest quality of care for over a decade. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2001 and since then, has prided herself on giving her patients dazzling confidence-boosting smiles. For any questions or to schedule a consultation appointment for your dental implants, visit her website or contact 847-221-5860.