If you’re looking to restore your smile, immediately loaded dental implants are one of the most effective and reliable forms of restorative dentistry available. Modern dental implant surgery is safe, refined, and provides you with a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Though each patient will have specific case-based and personal needs, the first three months after surgery and immediate implant placement are a crucial healing period. During this period, your new implants will have time to fuse with your jaw and function like a regular set of teeth. It all comes down to following the proper routine to care for your implants post-surgery!
Foods & Habits to Avoid
While your new implants are healing and adjusting post-surgery, you’ll need to be careful with what you eat. Since your dental implants haven’t fully fused to your jaw, you’ll want to avoid any food that is too tough or chewy. Food like this can loosen or shift your implants before they properly set. We recommend that patients avoid eating any of these foods while their immediately loaded dental implants are healing:
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Nuts
- Croutons
- Chewy breads
- Raw apples
- Raw carrots
- Ice cubes
- Steaks or chewy meats
- Salad lettuce
- Sticky/Chewy Candies
While your implants are healing in the three month period following your surgery, you should also avoid smoking or using any tobacco products. These can damage your mouth and delay your healing, and even lead to infection.
Suggested Foods
There are still plenty of delicious and healthy options available to you while your immediately loaded dental implants are healing post-surgery. Keeping in mind the “plastic fork rule”, here are some of our recommended foods to eat while your implants are healing, with many safe options for diabetic patients included:
- Eggs
- Pasta
- Meatloaf
- Potatoes
- Fish
- Lean Beef
- Tender chicken
- Macaroni
- Soft bread/rolls
- Cooked (soft) vegetables
- Cottage cheese
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Pancakes
- French toast
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Tofu
- Turkey
- Tender or pulled pork
- Cooked beans
- All-natural peanut butter
- Soft, fresh fruit
- Sugar-free applesauce
- Spinach & kale
- Green smoothies
Oral Hygiene & Home Care While You Heal
In addition to watching what food you eat during your healing process, there are also a few treatment methods you should follow. After all, proper home care is crucial for proper healing and the long-term health of your dental implants. Starting on the same day as your surgery, you should use a soft bristled toothbrush and the toothpaste of your choice to brush your new implants at least twice per day. After brushing, we recommend using a light saltwater rinse to flush out the area between the implants and your gums. Be sure to not use too much salt in your mixture, as this can cause discomfort and potentially slow your healing process.
After the first four weeks have passed, you can stop using saltwater rinses. At this time, we recommend switching to water flossers to help remove food and keep your implants clean. Start by setting the water pressure to the lowest setting and increasing gradually over time as it gets more comfortable. You should use your water flosser on the space between the implants and your gum tissue. Do this at least once per day, in addition to regular brushing, to eliminate any potential bacteria and plaque.
By sticking to a healthy routine and taking care of your new immediately loaded dental implants, you can ensure that they heal properly after surgery!
Schedule a consultation with us today to see if you’re a good candidate for dental implants!