Following any type of oral surgery, including a dental implant procedure, you must take certain precautions to ensure your surgery site heals properly. For this reason, patients often ask us—What foods can I safely eat after surgery to ensure a speedy recovery?
We’ve put together this article to help you prepare a safe and nutritious diet plan for after implant surgery.
When Can You Start Eating After Implant Surgery?
Typically, it is safe to eat immediately after oral surgery, provided you only consume liquids and extremely soft foods for the first 24-48 hours, such as smoothies, milkshakes, and yogurt. Your gum tissue and other areas of the mouth will be tender after implant surgery, and eating anything besides soft foods can cause irritation.
When consuming liquids after surgery, be sure to avoid using straws, which can cause injury to the incision site(s).
If you are wondering how long before you can chew after dental implants, the answer varies from patient to patient, but in general, you should wait at least 1-2 weeks before consuming normal foods again.
Foods to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery
Following your dental implant procedure, you’ll want to eat soft foods to optimize your recovery and prevent any issues post-operation. You should avoid chewing anything for about 1-2 weeks, possibly longer for some patients.
Foods that are not harmful and will aid in your recovery process include the following:
- Milkshakes
- Mashed potatoes
- Instant oatmeal
- Puréed soups (make sure the soup is not too hot)
- Smoothies
- Puréed vegetables
- Bone broth
- Herbal tea
- Apple sauce
- Puréed meats
- Protein shakes
- Plain scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Nut butters
- Cooked fish
- Tofu
- Cooked vegetables
- Pudding
- Ice cream
Foods to avoid:
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods
- Sticky foods
- Candy
- Chewy foods
- Hot beverages and foods (i.e. hot soup, hot coffee, chili)
- Crunchy foods (i.e. nuts, granola, popcorn, raw vegetables)
- Alcohol (consuming alcohol can severely impede the healing process)
Despite the discomfort that comes with recovering from oral surgery, it is important not to avoid eating. Having a sore mouth can make the idea of food, even soft foods, seem incredibly unappealing. However, in order to heal, the human body needs nutrients to produce energy.
Following surgery, your dentist will instruct you on how to clean your surgery site and your mouth without harming your incision. Typically, this is done by using saltwater to rinse out your mouth about 24 hours post-surgery.
Finally, avoid smoking of all kinds (including vaping), chewing tobacco, and anything that contains nicotine or tobacco. Using these items can prevent the surgery site from healing and cause the implant to fail.
Reach Out to the Implant Specialists at DentArt Chicago
If you are considering dental implants, contact us today to schedule an appointment at DentArt Chicago. Our team makes your dental health our top priority.
From initial consultation to recovery recommendations and oral healthcare tips, we are here to make sure your smile stays healthy, beautiful, and strong. We’re the best choice for dental implants in Chicago!