Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace teeth after tooth loss because of their unique placement in your jawbone. This offer distinct advantages over alternative solutions, such as dentures and dental bridges.
For example, your jawbone eventually fuses with the titanium rod of your restoration, so it becomes a permanent part of your mouth. That means there are fewer dietary restrictions than with other replacement teeth. However, you must eat carefully immediately following your surgery to avoid potential complications. Continue reading to learn about 3 things to avoid eating following your procedure!
Food #1: Raw Fruits and Veggies
It’s normal to feel sore and swollen for several days following your surgery. It’s essential to eat wholesome foods to support your body during recovery, but you’ll need to make conscientious dietary choices to avoid potential complications.
For instance, raw fruits and vegetables contain plenty of vitamins and minerals but are difficult to bite into and chew. If you try to chomp into a carrot or apple too soon after your procedure, you might damage or destabilize your restoration. This can interrupt the recovery process and cause additional aches and inflammation.
Food #2: Popcorn or Crunchy Snacks
Have you ever been enjoying a handful of popcorn only to realize that a kernel slid between your teeth or below your gums? This can be incredibly irritating under normal circumstances, but if you’ve just had dental implants placed, it can put your dental health at risk.
If a kernel gets trapped in your mouth, it attracts bacteria that contribute to many common oral issues, including tooth decay and gum disease. This can increase the likelihood of developing an infection, like peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure. It’s best to avoid small, crunchy, or hard snacks that could hurt your prosthetic or push it out of place.
Food #3: Alcohol
Did you know that sources estimate that 6.3% of American adults (about 15 million people) consume an alcoholic beverage each day? It’s normal to look forward to having a cold beer after a hard day’s work or a glass of wine while making dinner, but you may have to abstain temporarily if you’ve just had implant surgery.
This is partly because alcohol can suppress your immune system and slow your recovery period. Not only can it interrupt osseointegration and keep your implant from fusing with your jawbone as intended, but it can also increase bleeding and the risk of developing infection.
Your provider will likely provide a more comprehensive list of post-operative instructions following your dental implant placement. Following their directions carefully is the best way to recover as quickly as possible while avoiding potential complications!
About the Practice
At Smile Design Implant Centers, patients benefit from two experts who are dedicated to helping them improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. Dr. Ricciardi is an accomplished general dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, and Dr. Jonathan Winfield is a specialist who has completed Advanced Prosthodontist & Implant Innovation for Specialty training and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontists. They collaborate to provide a variety of complex services, including placing and restoring dental implants, to meet all your oral healthcare needs at one convenient location. You can request an appointment on the website or call (775) 391-6636.