Did you ever take a nutrition class in school? If you have, you’d know the complexity of how nutrients are used to fuel everything in your body. Even without this knowledge, you might recognize the food pyramid where foods are organized into groups.
But have you seen a pyramid of foods you should avoid? Especially after oral surgery, choosing the right foods can make a huge difference in the success of your procedure.
The groups mentioned below are made up specifically of foods that you should avoid after dental implant surgery. Continue reading to learn how to preserve your implants and avoid failure.
1. Sweet and Sticky Foods
Candy, caramel, muffins, syrup—the list goes on. One of the most important food groups to moderate in normal circumstances becomes a no-fly zone after dental implant surgery.
The sugar from these foods can build up bacterial plaque and will facilitate irritation and penetration of the gum tissue, especially around the surgical site of your implant.
If you absolutely have to have a celebratory snack, be sure to gently brush and floss your teeth with a soft toothbrush and use an alcohol-free rinse to get rid of any lingering particles of food.
2. Spicy Foods
Foods that are hot or heavily spiced will cause a great deal of irritation at the site of your implant surgery. This irritation can lead to an increased recovery time and severe discomfort.
It’s best to wait a few weeks before introducing any of these foods back into your diet. Your dental implant may need up to six months to completely heal from the surgery, so use your best judgment.
3. Hard and Crunchy Foods
If a food hurts or makes tiny fragments when you eat it, it’s best avoided, especially just after surgery. Foods like chips, pretzels, and ice are obvious offenders, but you should also beware of hard fruits and vegetables.
However, you do need vegetables in your diet for recovery, so be sure to steam them before consuming them. This will allow you to enjoy some fantastic veggies like butternut squash or carrots without risking your dental implant.
4. Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is another no-go as it is known to dry out your mouth and interfere with osteointegration (the process of your bone integrating with an implant). Once your implant is placed, it slowly begins to fuse with your jawbone, making it an extension of your own body over time.
Beer, wine, and any other alcohol—including the alcohol found in some mouthwashes—can stall this process. And without saliva to fight bacteria in your mouth as well as flush away food particles, you’re at heightened risk for infection.
So, do yourself a favor and avoid these foods after your dental implant surgery. It might be a hard road to a full recovery, especially if some of your favorites are on this list, but the result is a healthy dental implant that can carry you through the rest of your life.
About the Practice
At Morgan-Hill Dental Care, you’ll be treated like family in their state-of-the-art facility in Gorham. Their team of skilled and professional dentists will guide you through a treatment tailored to your needs. Whether you need preventive, restorative, or cosmetic treatment the team is ready to serve you. To schedule a dental implant consultation, call (207) 839-2655 or visit the website to explore other services.