Soft Foods to Eat After Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a standard procedure that can help improve the function and aesthetics of your smile. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is vital to ensure proper healing and prevent complications like an infection that could cause implant failure.

One of the most critical aspects of your recovery is your diet. The right nutrients can help promote cell and tissue growth and prevent inflammation. However, hard and crunchy foods can irritate or become stuck in your implant site, potentially leading to infection. Understanding what soft foods to eat after dental implants ensures you get adequate nutrition to help in your post-op recovery.

With proper care and attention to your diet, your dental implants will soon be fully healed, and you can resume eating your regular diet.

Your dentist may recommend a no-chew diet for the first 48 hours after surgery and a soft food diet for up to 2 weeks until the initial healing phase is complete. While eating a soft food diet, getting all the nutrition you need to recover properly can be challenging.

Fortunately, there are several soft foods to eat after dental implants that are also nutrient-dense, allowing you to get the vitamins and minerals you need to recover without irritating the implant site.

Fruit Smoothies

Fruit smoothies are an excellent way to supplement your post-dental implant surgery diet and get the nutrients your body needs as you recover. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, and the smooth texture makes them easy to consume without irritating the surgical site.

Another benefit of supplementing your diet with fruit smoothies is that they are simple to make at home. You can use either fresh or frozen fruit and fruit juices. You can also add nut butter or yoghurt for an added protein boost. Choose fruits that do not contain seeds, and blend your smoothie thoroughly to avoid irritating your implant site.

Blended Soups and Broths

The soft texture of soups and broths is easy on the gums, and they are packed with nutrients that help promote healing.

Bone broth is typically composed of at least 70% water and contains high levels of electrolytes, helping you stay hydrated. Most broths are also high in protein, gelatin, and collagen, which assist your body’s recovery after dental implants and promote strong bones.

Broths are incredibly versatile; you can sip bone broth as a beverage throughout the day or use it as a base with other soft foods for a nutritious meal.

Steamed or Baked White Fish

Whitefish is one of the best soft foods to eat after getting dental implants. This type of fish is packed with several essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and phosphorus.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to expedite the healing process, while phosphorus is vital for building strong bones and teeth.

By steaming or baking your whitefish, you can ensure that the fish remains flaky and easy to chew, reducing the chances of irritation at the implant site.

Scrambled Eggs

A fantastic cornerstone of a nutritious breakfast, scrambled eggs are rich in protein, healthy fats, phosphorus, zinc, Vitamin D, choline, and a host of other vital nutrients essential to the healing process.

Scrambled eggs are also soft and easy to chew, making them ideal for patients who may be experiencing dental discomfort after their dental implant surgery.

Mashed Avocado

Avocado is a good source of several vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, which can help reduce inflammation and promote bone health after dental implant surgery.

Avocados also contain ample amounts of healthy fats, which assist the body’s healing process. The smooth texture of mashed avocado makes it easy to eat, and its high-fat content will help you stay full on a limited post-dental implant surgery diet.

Yoghurt or Custard

One of the most common complications after dental implant surgery is an infection at the implant site, which can cause pain, swelling, and redness. Eating yoghurt or custard after dental implant surgery can help prevent this complication since live bacteria in yoghurt may help bolster your immune system.

Many varieties of yoghurt are also high in protein and essential nutrients like calcium, providing your body with what it needs to repair itself after getting dental implants.

Baby Food Pouches

Opt for pre-prepared fruit-based baby food pouches for a quick snack on the go.

The smooth texture won’t irritate your surgical site, and the purees are free from seeds or large chunks of fruit that could get stuck in the gum tissue covering the dental implants.

Choose flavours like apple, pear, or mango. These fruits are high in fibre and nutrient-dense.

Ice Blocks

Ice blocks are the ideal afternoon treat following dental implant surgery. Make ice blocks from scratch using 100% fruit juice to benefit from nutrients like antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, which assist with cell renewal and wound healing.

The cold temperature can also reduce post-surgical swelling and numb the dental implants site to minimise discomfort.

Get Dental Implants at Advanced Dental Care

If you are considering dental implant surgery, you should first get a free consultation at your local clinic. Advanced Dental Care is a dentist that offers free consultations for dental implants, helping you decide if the procedure is right for you.

If you decide to get dental implants, the healthcare professionals at Advanced Dental Care will provide you with guidance on soft foods to eat after getting dental implants. If you live near Dubbo, schedule a free dental consultation near you by calling Advanced Dental Care at (02) 6188 7103 today!

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

The Role of Collagen in Bone Strength
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16341622/

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Effect on Wound Healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18471252/

Potassium – Health Professional Fact Sheet
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/

Yogurt: Role in Healthy and Active Aging
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6410895/

Effects of Vitamin A, C, and E on Normal and HPV-Immortalized Human Oral Epithelial Cells in Nature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10697579/

Soft Foods to Eat After Dental Implants — Ensure the Proper Healing