What Can I Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?

Good nutrition is essential for healing, so it’s vital that you don’t skip out of meals because of discomfort. While some foods might be off limits for obvious reasons, there are plenty of healthy and nutritious meals you can enjoy without causing discomfort or risking damaging your implants.

What food to avoid after implant surgery

There are a few things that should remain off limits until your implants are settled and your gums are completely healed. Everyone heals at a different rate, so you get to decide when you are well enough to start reintroducing the following foods:

• Crunchy foods like crisps and popcorn

• Tough foods like raw vegetables and pizza crusts

• Chewy foods like bagels and gummy sweets

• Sticky foods like caramel

• Spicy foods like curry or hot peppers

• Acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges

What food can I enjoy after implant surgery?

In the first few days after implant surgery, we recommend sticking to a soft or liquid diet. This could include foods like:

• Porridge

• Meal replacement shakes

• Semolina

• Scrambled or poached eggs

• Bananas

• Apple sauce

• Soups

• Mashed potatoes

• Baked beans

As you get used to wearing your dental implants, you can start to reintroduce other foods into your diet that require more chewing. This could include food like pasta, meat and cheese. You can then decide when to introduce more challenging foods like crunchy vegetables and bread.

What can I drink after implant surgery?

Try to avoid very hot and very cold drinks after your surgery. This is because your teeth and gums might be more sensitive to temperature. You should also avoid drinking with a straw, as the suction can impact the healing process.

Instead, try drinking room temperature water and add a little bit of cordial if you need some flavour. You can still drink tea and coffee, but allow it to cool a little before you drink it.

It’s a good idea to stock up on meal replacement shakes, as these are an excellent way to meet your nutritional needs without having to think too hard about what you are eating. You can also drink soup or broth for a savoury choice.

Caring for your teeth after implants

Keeping your teeth clean after you have dental implant surgery is essential for the success of the treatment. You need to make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day and using mouthwash as recommended. Some people like to rinse with mouthwash after every meal to help avoid food getting caught around their implants.

You might also want to consider adding a water flosser to your oral care routine. This uses a pressured jet of water to flush out food debris from around your teeth. This can help to limit the risk of developing gum disease after your treatment.

Closing thoughts

While you might need to take a little extra care with your diet in the days and weeks following your treatment, there are still plenty of options to keep you satisfied and healthy. Try to focus on getting a varied diet rather than sticking to the same foods every day. You can also supplement your diet with meal replacement shakes to ensure you are getting the right nutrients.