Soft Foods to Eat After Dental Implants — Ways for Proper Recovery

Dental implants require oral surgery to embed the implant post in the jaw to create a stable foundation for the restoration. After dental implant surgery, maintaining a healthy diet and practising good oral hygiene is essential for proper recovery and to minimise the risk of implant failure. 

When you visit a dentist that offers a free consultation for dental implants, they’ll recommend that you eat a soft food diet after dental implant surgery. 

Learn which soft foods to eat after dental implants and how to maintain optimal nutrition to support your recovery from dental implant surgery. 

Soft Foods to Eat After Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a major procedure, and giving your mouth time to heal afterwards is vital. For the first 48 hours after dental implant surgery, you should stick to a non-chew liquid diet to avoid irritating your dental implants.

After those first two days, you can slowly introduce soft foods into your diet. It’s important to avoid hard or crunchy foods during this healing phase and anything extremely hot or cold. Here are some excellent soft foods to eat after dental implants to support your recovery. Find out more. 

• Meal replacement shakes

Meal replacement shakes, such as Sustagen, can be a great way to ensure you are getting enough protein and other nutrients post-surgery. They are easy to digest and contain a complete blend of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help support wound healing and cell renewal. 

Don’t serve shakes with straws, as the negative pressure inside your mouth caused by sucking can disrupt sutures or dislodge a blood clot needed for healing.

• Blended soup or bone broth

Blended soup or bone broth can help to soothe the digestive system and provide important nutrients for healing. Bone broths contain collagen, which helps build new soft tissue, and blended soups prevent large vegetable chunks from becoming stuck in your dental implants and causing an infection. 

Soups should be served lukewarm to avoid irritating the surgical site.

• Oat or rice porridge

After surgery, instant oat or rice porridge can be a gentle, easily digestible breakfast option. They are a good source of protein, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc which can support your immune system.

Serve with pureed fruit like apples, pears, or peaches for added flavour and vitamins. 

• Scrambled or poached eggs

Scrambled or poached eggs are a complete source of protein, vitamin A, and selenium which can support wound healing. Serve soft scrambled eggs with mashed avocado for added fibre for a delicious breakfast.

• Steamed white fish

Steamed white fish like cod, bream, or snapper, is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins. Cook the fish in a bamboo steamer basket or inside baking paper inside the oven with butter, garlic, and a splash of white wine. Serve with mashed sweet potato for a nutritious lunch. 

• Slow braised meat

Slow braised meat like beef or pork shoulder is a good source of protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins to support wound healing and cell renewal. Braise the meat in your slow cooker with red wine, stock, and root vegetables.

• Yoghurt, custard, or ice cream

Yoghurt, custard, or ice cream can provide valuable nutrients for healing, such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, and zinc. The cold temperature can also help numb the site of the dental implants to alleviate discomfort. Read more.

Other Tips for Healing After Implant Placement

Aftercare for dental implants is important to ensure proper healing. Some additional tips to promote healing include: 

• Resting with your head elevated to reduce post-op swelling
• Rinsing with saline solution to prevent bacterial infection
• Drinking plenty of water
• Using an ice pack to control inflammation and numb the site to alleviate discomfort
• Taking OTC medications to relieve pain

Find a Free Dental Consultation Near You at Bright Dental Group

If you’re looking for more guidance on what to eat while recovering from dental implants, Bright Dental Group can help. We offer a wide range of services to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Get a free consultation at your local dental clinic in Glenmore Park at Bright Dental Group. Contact us today at (02) 4708 9691 to learn more.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Patients’ Perception of Recovery after Dental Implant Placement
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8538387/ 

Signs of a Failed Dental Implant
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/implants/signs-of-a-failed-dental-implant 

Gastrointestinal Soft Diet Overview
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15637-gastrointestinal-soft-diet-overview