Dental implants are surgical fixtures positioned into the jawbone and given time will fuse with the jawbone over a few months. The dental implant fixture resembles a screw and is meant to replace the root of a missing tooth.
That artificial root can be used to hold an artificial replacement tooth or dental bridge. After the procedure, you may experience swelling in the gums, minor bleeding from the surgical site, pain at the surgical site, and bruising on the gums.
Those complications, plus not being used to the artificial root, may make it hard for you to chew. The doctors recommend that you watch what you eat to avoid messing with the healing process. You are advised to avoid;
- Tough foods like raw vegetables and steak.
- Sticky foods like taffy and caramel.
- Acidic foods like citrus fruits.
- Chewy foods like bagels and gummies.
- Crunchy foods like chips and popcorn.
- Spicy foods like hot peppers.
- Hot liquids and foods like coffee.
You are recommended to eat soft foods. They include;
1. Eggs
Eggs are one of the softest and mildest foods you can have after getting your dental implant. They are also a good source of protein which is essential to help in the healing process. One of the hardest things about recovery diets is having to eat the same thing over and over.
However, with eggs, you can make them in different ways such that you feel like you are having different meals. You can boil them, fry them or make them into an omelet. They are easy to chew and will not stick to your teeth.
2. Smoothies
These are ideal, especially just a few days after the procedure because they don’t require any chewing. They will also leave you feeling full, so you don’t have to think about eating a lot of solid food.
Since you can make it with many different fruits and vegetables, they are packed with vitamins. They will help you in the recovery process and give you a lot of energy.
You can make them with either fresh milk or yogurt, both of which have protein essential for the healing process.
Smoothies are also good because they do not contain a lot of sugar, spice, or any harsh chemicals that may affect the tooth implant. They will also not stick on or between your teeth.
3. Soup
This is one of the most common comfort foods eaten by patients recovering from teeth implants and other types of illnesses. It is ideal for dental implant recovery mainly because it does not require any chewing and does not stick on or between the teeth.
You also get a lot of nutrients from soup because you can mix many things in the recipe. You can add any source of protein and any vegetables you feel comfortable with. That not only gives you a lot of nutrients but also removes monotony in your meals.
The things you should avoid adding in the soup are acidic and spicy ingredients because those could irritate the dental implant site. You should also wait until the soup has cooled down before eating.
4. Mac ‘n cheese
Macaroni and cheese is another comfort food that is widely eaten by people recovering from many illnesses. One thing that makes it ideal for patients recovering from teeth implants is how soft it is.
It is also packed with calcium, which is good to speed up recovery. Just like eggs and smoothies, you can customize your mac ‘n cheese in any way you like to avoid getting bored with it. You can add different types of topping, provided they are not acidic or spicy.
You could also add some fresh vegetables like broccoli and spinach in the mix for more taste and nutrients.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another comforting meal that is good for you if you are recovering from dental implant surgery. It is soft and warm (not hot), making it as soothing as possible for your wounds. It is also packed with fiber and proteins, which are good in speeding up the recovery process.
You can also make different additions to your oatmeal to help increase the sweetness and increase nutritional value. For example, you can add milk, butter, and fruits. You, however, need to avoid adding acidic fruits and crunchy foods like nuts to avoid irritating your wounds.
Featured Photo by Peter Kasprzyk on Unsplash
