Are you missing at least one of your natural teeth? You’re not the only one – about 178 million Americans have lost one or more teeth, and 40 million of them don’t have any real teeth left! Luckily, there are plenty of options to rebuild your smile. Most dentists recommend dental implants because of their numerous benefits, including their ability to let you eat normally after you’ve finished healing. Until then, though, it’s important to be careful. Here’s what you need to know about enjoying summer foods with dental implants in Lincoln.
Summer Foods You Can Eat After Dental Implant Surgery
It takes dental implants several months to fully integrate with your jawbone. In the meantime, you’ll want to stick to softer summer foods like:
- Scrambled eggs
- Smoothies
- Noodles
- Baked beans
- Yogurt
- Rice
- Bananas
Foods to Avoid After Dental Implant Surgery
Throughout the healing process, it’s in your best interest to limit or avoid these foods:
- Hot dogs – The high amounts of processed saturated fat in hot dogs can easily lead to gum inflammation, which may prevent your implants from healing. Save this summer staple for extra-special occasions.
- Corn on the cob – Kernels of corn could easily become trapped between your implant and your gums, attracting bacteria. Just to be safe, try preemptively cutting your corn off of the cob.
- Sugary beverages – Many classic summer drinks like sweet tea, fruit juice, and soda are chock-full of sugar. They might not be too dangerous for your implants, but they can wear down your remaining natural teeth, increasing the risk that you’ll have to get more implants in the future.
- Hard foods – As your implants heal, you should try not to bite down on anything too hard with them. Nuts, apples, and chips are among the worst offenders.
What Can You Eat After Your Dental Implants Have Healed?
Once your dental implants have finished healing, you can eat pretty much anything you want! Your new teeth are designed to function exactly like your old ones, so you should have no problem enjoying your favorite summer foods. Even the toughest steaks shouldn’t be a problem. That being said, if you’re ever unsure whether a certain food is safe to eat with dental implants, just reach out to your dentist. They’ll be happy to give you tips for keeping your smile healthy!
After you’ve finished the dental implant treatment process, you’ll have a smile that looks and feels 100% natural. With just a little patience, you’ll be able to dig into your favorite summer snacks and meals in no time at all!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding is a skilled implant dentist in Lincoln, NE with more than 20 years of experience in the field of dentistry. He has undergone advanced dental implant training at the Misch International Implant Institute and has even earned a Fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. In addition, he is a long-term student and a visiting faculty member of Spear Education, the world’s largest institution providing continuing education to dentists. Rest assured that he can conveniently complete every step of the dental implant process under one roof. To learn more about dental implants in Lincoln, contact Olberding Dental at 402-488-2325.