Before you can start enjoying your dental implants, they will need to be placed and fused to your jawbone. This is done through oral surgery, and you’ll take some time to recover from it. Over the next several months, the post will become a part of your mouth’s anatomy, but it’s important you don’t mess with this process. Certain foods can cause trouble while you heal, so here are five options to avoid.
1.) Tough Cuts of Meat
A juicy pork chop or steak might be a fan favorite of yours, but tough items like certain cuts of meats can cause issues. You have to chew them for a long while, which can lead to discomfort by straining your jaw. Choosing softer items may be easiest, but tenderizing or cutting pieces into smaller chunks can be helpful.
2.) Crunchy Things
While you may like to wind down in front of the T.V. with a bag of chips, they and other crunchy snacks can be trouble. They can break off into sharp pieces and injure your healing gums. Not only that, but they need a stronger bite to eat, meaning you can put too much pressure on your implant. Simply avoid them and choose gentler options like ripe peaches and bananas.
3.) Sticky Sweets
You might enjoy sweets like gummies, taffy, and caramel, but you should do your best to avoid these as well. They cling to your teeth easily, trapping bacteria against your smile and increasing your risk of oral health issues. Not only that, but they can pull at your tooth replacement or lead to it failing.
4.) Spicy Items
Although a spicy kick to your meals can make them more exciting, you should dial it back to mellow and mild. Hot peppers irritate the soft tissues in your mouth and make them inflamed. The tenderness can be especially uncomfortable after your placement surgery.
5.) Generally Hot Foods
Before you dig into a steaming plate of food, wait for it to cool down just a bit. When it’s too hot, then you can burn your mouth and increase blood flow in it. You may bleed more around the implant site and have increased swelling.
In the end, be sure to protect your smile after your procedure. Making simple switches for now can help you have a smooth recovery. Thankfully, you will be able to enjoy the items above soon, but it will take just a bit of waiting. Listen to your body and avoid things that irritate your mouth; that way, you get to your full smile without trouble.
About the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew earned his dental degree from New York University. He has since taken advanced dental implant training, allowing him to offer the entire process in-house. By using state-of-the-art technology, you can enjoy an effective treatment and know what to do to protect your grin afterward. If you need more tips on what to do after placement surgery, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Gizachew’s office at (609) 879-0036.