Teeth loss impacts our appearance and confidence since it changes our facial look. Teeth loss may happen due to factors such as teeth decay, injury to the teeth or even periodontitis (severe gum infection). In earlier days the solution for teeth loss was dentures or bridges. With the advancement of technology, new-age dental treatments are in abundance.
For teeth loss, dental implants are the best option.
Dental implants are artificial teeth that are attached to the jaw-bone with the help of screws that acts as natural teeth. This procedure is performed by injecting local anesthesia so it is not a painful procedure. A proper cement covering is given around the dental implants to avoid any food getting stuck in between the teeth. The success rate of dental implants is up to 98% and has many benefits also that are long-lasting.
A few advantages of dental implants are:
- They improve our appearance since they fit as good as our teeth.
- It improves our speech as they fit in well without the risk of teeth slipping within the mouth.
- They last almost a lifetime when proper care is taken.
- They do not affect surrounding teeth since there is no support taken from other teeth for implanting the teeth.
- They are very comfortable, unlike dentures which create a lot of discomfort in removing and placing them.
Few recommendations to ensure proper care immediately after dental implants are given below:
- One or two days of rest are recommended post-procedure.
- Having good oral hygiene is very important for a good recovery.
- Staying hydrated is also equally important since water intake helps in fast recovery.
- Post-procedure, the jaw bones and gums will be tender and require extra care to avoid any damage to the dental implants.
What to eat after dental implants?
The procedure happens in stages so it is important to follow the recommended diet during all stages to ensure a speedy recovery and to protect the dental implants from any damage. Chewing food will be impossible during the first few hours of the surgery and can make way for complications if not avoided.
Foods to consume
Initial 24-48hours – The gums and the jaw bone will be tender during the initial hours so it is recommended to eat soft foods and consume more liquid food. Here is the list of food options to be consumed:
Liquids – Fruit Juices, Soups, Herbal Tea, Protein shakes, Applesauce and Greek Yogurt.
Soft foods – Oatmeal, mashed Bananas or Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs, Pudding, Flaky Fish, Bone Broths and Tofu.
Weeks followed after surgery –In a few weeks the implants start healing and slowly solid foods can be introduced into the diet.
Dairy foods – Cheese, Yogurt and Cottage Cheese
Carbohydrates – Blueberries, Sweet Potatoes
Healthy Fats – Olives, Avocados, Nut butter
Proteins – Eggs, Fish and Chicken
Foods to Avoid – During the process minor incisions will be done for the implantation and that causes tenderness and swelling in the gums. Hence it is important to avoid a few of the food items such as:
Spicy food – Peppers and Chilies
Crunchy food – Popcorn, Chips and Nuts
Sweet foods – Candies, bubble gums, Chocolates and Ice Cream
Acidic foods – Tomatoes and Oranges
Along with the above list, it is important to follow strict oral hygiene such as brushing the teeth immediately after the consumption of beverages such as coffee, tea or red wine since they may cause staining on teeth and may also permanently discolour the teeth.
When to begin normal diet post-procedure?
Usually, it takes 3 to 6 months for the implants to be complete and after this duration, it is safe to resume the regular diet.
