Dental Implants and Three Foods to Avoid After Getting Them

If you have a missing tooth (or a few missing teeth) and feel self-conscious about your smile as a result, you may want to consider getting a dental implant. Not only will dental implants improve your smile, they will provide other benefits as well, such as feeling more comfortable when talking with others and having improved oral health. Before getting implants, however, there are some things you should know.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implant Services?

Did you know that the number of people in the United States who have dental implants is 3 million, and that this number increases by 500,000 every year? If you are someone who has one or two missing teeth, whether due to decay or any other reason, and want dental implants, you may be a candidate. One of the primary determining factors will be whether or not you have enough natural bone to support the implant.

The other is how well you are going to take care of your dental implant after getting it. Since getting a dental implant is like a going through a minor surgery, your new implant will require a lot of care. This includes knowing what kinds of foods to stay away from for the next 10 days to 2 weeks after getting a dental implant.

Three Foods to Avoid After Getting Dental Implants

Meats - You will need to avoid eating foods that take a lot of time to chew. This includes meats such as steak, turkey, chicken, and other kinds of tough meat. If you need a protein fix, some great alternatives include eggs or tuna fish.

Fruits and Veggies - Biting into a hard fruit or vegetable, such as an apple or a carrot will not only cause a lot of oral pain, but it could potentially damage your implant. If you do get a hankering for veggies, you can also cook or steam them in order to soften them up.

When it comes to fruits, there are plenty of soft ones to choose from, including bananas, mangoes, and peaches. You may be tempted to blend your fruits and veggies into a smoothie, but be careful about drinking from a straw as this may be harmful and could cause bleeding.

Hot and Cold Beverages - While it might sound soothing to drink a glass of ice water after getting dental implant services done, cold beverages can cause pain in your already sensitive mouth. Hot beverages, such as tea and coffee can exacerbate the swelling. Even though it might not sound very good, drinking lukewarm beverages is best for your new implant.