One participant in an online chat forum mentioned, “The one thing I wish I knew earlier was the food restrictions.” This Pi Dental Center blog discusses dietary guidelines after dental implant surgery.
While there are some important dietary restrictions to follow after dental implant placement, patients can enjoy a nutritious and varied diet. These guidelines help ensure proper healing and osseointegration of the dental implants.
The doctors at Pi Dental Center recommend patients follow a soft-food diet for the first 12 to 16 weeks.
Dr. Robert Slauch, a Board Certified Prosthodontist, at Pi Dental Center states, “Getting immediate teeth the same day of implant placement allows patients to never have to wear a partial or removable denture. However, the success of implant treatment relies on strictly following proper home care and a soft diet.”
Andrea Clendaniel, EFDA, of Pi Dental Center advises: “The successful healing of your dental implants is the top priority. Stick to soft foods and avoid anything that could put stress on the implants. As a general rule, foods that can be easily cut with the side of a fork are safe to eat. Avoid biting into or tearing foods, such as sandwiches, hoagies, crusty bread, or tough meats. Cut all foods into small, manageable pieces.”
It is also important not to compensate by chewing harder foods on the opposite side of your mouth. The pressure created during chewing can still affect the implant site and may interfere with the healing process. The jaw is a single connected bone, and biting forces flex and impact the entire structure. This pressure can cause strain on the bone on the other side of the mouth.
Suggested Avoidance Food List
DON’TS
- Don’t eat hard, sticky or chewy foods.
- Do not chew gum.
- Do not eat candy bars or caramel or nuts.
- Do not eat hard pretzels.
Don’t eat the following fruits if they are raw. (Unless they are very finely sliced)
- Apples
- Peaches
- Pears
- Carrots
- Celery
In Addition
- Don’t chew meats off the bone.
- Don’t chew ice or nuts.
- Don’t eat corn on the cob.
- Don’t eat hard hoagie rolls or bagels.
- Don’t eat pizza unless finely cut and never eat the crust at the edge.
- Don’t eat hard or soft pretzels.
- Don’t eat popcorn.
- Do not bite on pens or pencils.
Suggested Foods
- Pasta
- Fish
- Ground beef
- Well-boiled vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Pancakes
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Yogurt
FROM SOUP TO NUTS
Patients considering dental implants can view Pi Dental Center’s online cookbook for ideas. FROM SOUP TO NUTS is primarily a cookbook designed to provide nourishing and delicious dining enjoyment for dental patients at every stage of dental treatment. We collected recipes from people who already made the journey from the impaired to the healthy distinctive smiles; these recipes offer gourmet anticipations for those in healing stages (Soups) to those whose implants have completed the process of osseointegration, called “Formerly Forbidden Foods” (Nuts). Our book is intended to remove anxiety and add flavor to the decision to invest in a beautiful smile.
Click here to view our cookbook.
Soft foods, a healthy diet, and good oral hygiene during the healing period help to ensure successful osseointegration. Call Pi Dental Center if you are considering dental implant treatment. (215) 646-6334.