Though dental implants are very effective and successful, the surgery itself is invasive. Each stage of implant surgery requires some rest and healing afterward, and even with gentle family dentistry, your mouth probably won’t feel great immediately following your surgery.
Your mouth may feel tender and swollen, and you may have some stitches at the site. The foods you eat will have an impact on your healing as well as your pain management. If you can, think ahead and have some good things ready to eat. Check with your family dentist; he or she probably has some great suggestions for what to eat after surgery.
Keep in mind these few things when you’re planning your menu post-surgery:
- Eat soft foods
- Stay away from foods with seeds
- Try to maintain good nutrition
- Stay hydrated with lots of water
- Don’t skip meals
Here are some good ideas:
- Ice cream and milkshakes – This is a time to let yourself be comforted, so it’s okay to have ice cream and milkshakes. The cold ice cream is a natural pain reliever.
- Soups – Soups are a great comforting food—just make sure they aren’t too hot, which isn’t good for your mouth at this time. Pureed soups, like butternut squash or cream of chicken, are good options. Also make sure the ingredients in the soup, like noodles, vegetables or chicken, are soft.
- Eggs – Eggs are a nutritious choice with lots of protein. Scrambled eggs are especially easy to eat. Oatmeal or other soft cereals – Cereals have a lot of nutrition and will keep you full.
- Applesauce or other pureed fruit – Sauces are warm and comforting; any pureed fruit is good, like pears, apples, peaches or bananas. Stay away from seeds at first, as they can become trapped in the surgical site.
- Mashed potatoes or other vegetables – Get creative here; not only are mashed potatoes great but so are mashed sweet potatoes, butternut or acorn squash, cauliflower, or beans and peas.
- Smoothies – These can be a stand-alone meal with some yogurt, fruits, and whatever else you toss in. Like milkshakes and ice cream, the cold will be good for your mouth. Stay away from the berries, though, due to seeds.
What to stay away from:
- Hot foods – Things like tea, soup, and eggs are all great choices, but let them cool a bit before eating.
- Straws – Go strawless with your shakes and smoothies.
- Sucking puts pressure on your site and can cause some damage.
- Hard or sticky foods – Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing or are sticky or hard.
Within a few days, you will be feeling much better, and the best news is that once your dental implants have healed, you can eat whatever you want!
Please contact us at Watkin Dental Associates for more information on dental implants or any other dental procedure. Our expert sta is here to help!
