What Can I Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?
When talking with others, do you cover your mouth because of broken, damaged, or missing teeth? If you have or need dental implants, you may wonder about the procedure and what you can or can’t eat afterward.
The effects of the implant will subside during the initial seven to ten days after your procedure.
We recommend a soft-food diet during the first 24-48 hours after surgery, with a gradual return to regular foods in the following weeks.
To help you prepare and feel better about moving forward, we have prepared a guide for the initial recovery period, including how soon after your dental implant you can eat normally.
What can I eat after dental implant surgery?
The first 24 to 48 hours typically require a soft food diet.
We recommend avoiding hot liquids and sticking with cool to warm drinks. Here is a list of sensible food choices for you:
- Clear soups and broths
- Yogurt
- Protein or meal replacement shakes and smoothies
- Boiled or baked fish
- Apple sauce, apple butter
- Scrambled eggs
You can continue with the foods from the above list and some other soft foods after the first 24 hours.
- Non-citrus fruits
- Cream of wheat or oatmeal
- Jams and jellies
- Soft fruits
Sticking to this diet is essential to protect the new dental implants. After fixing your cracked, lost, or broken tooth, we want the healing to go well and for you to enjoy your new smile.
How soon after a dental implant can I eat normally?
Very few people enjoy a soft diet for very long.
However, the desire to return to old eating habits should be controlled.
Typically, it takes about one week to return to regular eating habits.
Any food you eat during the healing period should still be easy to chew.
Some foods to avoid after a dental implant?
- Carbonated drinks
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Sticky foods like caramel, dried fruit, or gummies
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods, such as tomatoes and oranges
- Sugary foods, like candy
- Foods served at a hot temperature
- Crunchy, sticky, or abrasive foods, such as seeds, chips, and berries
Dental implant recovery tips
Following your dentist’s aftercare advice is essential to speed up your recovery.
Avoid foods that are:
- Chewy
- Too hot
- Tough
- Spicy
- Too cold
Stay away from carbonated drinks, alcohol, or drinking from a straw.
Also, avoiding smoking for at least a few days after your operation would be a good idea.
Typically, most patients can begin eating a more normal diet about one week after their procedure.
Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments with us so we can assess your recovery and determine when your implants are ready for the physical pressure a regular diet brings.
Contact us to schedule an appointment if you are considering dental implants for a cracked, lost, or broken tooth.
Or:
- Call us at 425-335-1111
- Email us at info@dentistrylakestevens.com
All Smiles Dentistry is proud to serve the people of Lake Stevens and Greater Snohomish County.
