Soft Foods Are Ideal After Dental Implant Therapy
Discovering which foods and beverages are considered to be safe and which ones are best to avoid after dental implant surgery is an essential part of your recovery. You will be advised to avoid using straws or participating in any kind of sucking motion post surgery, including smoking. The tender gum tissue is busy clotting and healing after the procedure. This delicate tissue can become inflamed or infected if suction within the mouth interferes with healing gum tissue.
Stock Up On Soft Foods
Mashing or blending your food is highly recommended. Adopting a soft food diet can be nutritious and creative. A food processor or blender will be very useful for this stage of healing. Great soft food ideas include: homemade applesauce, bananas, avocado, creamed soups, soft cheeses, Jell-O, yogurt, hummus, oatmeal, baby cookies, mashed potatoes, baked beans, soft tofu, pudding, protein shakes and more! It is great to stock up on your soft foods prior to surgery so that you can relax and heal as your dental implants gradually become one with the surrounding gum tissue. Consume shakes and protein drinks with a spoon or sip them gently to ensure you avoid using a straw.
Foods To Avoid After Dental Implant Therapy
It is recommended to stick to a very neutral and fairly bland diet during your post-surgery healing. Avoid hot or extremely cold foods and beverages. Stay away from citrus juices and fruits including tomatoes and tomato sauces. Spicy foods may irritate the gum line and cause irritation. Tiny and nuts are best avoided including poppy seeds, caraway seeds and sesame seeds. Hard and crumbly foods including crackers, chips and popcorn are also not advised until healing is complete. Chewy foods and sticky candies, along with any other food that makes you open your jaw widely are best avoided. Do not use any straws or participate in any sucking motion common with enjoying shakes and smoothies etc. as this can disrupt blood clot formation and lead to the painful condition of dry socket.
Follow-Up Visits Are Essential For Dental Implant Therapy
Ensure that you are following all post operative instructions for your single dental implant, dental implant bridge or All-on-4 complete arches. Maintain your follow up dental visits to ensure your oral health and well being is maintained during the transition to osseointegration and complete healing. Do not hesitate to contact your dentist if you experience any discomfort, pain or irritation. Certain adjustments may have to be made once your dental implants are secure. This is a normal part of many dental restorations. Our tissues expand and contract throughout pre and post surgery. The patience and care you give yourself as your mouth heals is well worth the wait! You will be able to enjoy your favorite foods and beverages much faster once you have allowed all of the healing to take place.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
Don’t suffer the pain, irritation or embarrassment of a damaged smile any longer. Dental implant therapy is not an overnight solution. If you are curious to see if this permanent restoration can help you love a functional and healthy smile, book a consultation with Harrell Dental Implant Center, Charlotte NC.
Key Healing Tips After Dental Implant Therapy
After your dental implant oral surgery, it is essential to ensure you follow the proper post surgical care procedures given to you by your dental team. Once you arrive home after receiving your dental implants it is important not to disturb the gum line or surgery site. Swelling generally reaches its’ peak within the first 48 hours. Ice packs may become your new best friend during this phase. Make sure you cover your ice pack with a towel before applying to your face. For best results, place the ice pack adjacent to the surgical area for intervals of 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off during the first twelve to twenty-four hours.
Key Healing Tips For Dental Implants
Regardless, if you have a single dental implant, full All-On-Four arches or a dental implant bridge, there are key tips to consider in order not to disturb the surgical site. Avoid using a straw, smoking cigarettes or making a sucking or inhaling motion as this can disrupt your clotting process and cause bleeding to occur. Avoid vigorous swishing or rinsing and spitting as this can cause fresh clots to become dislodged. If you do smoke, it is recommended to wait at least 48 to 72 hours before resuming. Smoking can drastically delay the healing process. Plan to rest after your dental implants and avoid strenuous activity for the first few days. Take lots of naps if possible!
Avoid Disturbing the Surgical Site With Your Tongue
Your mouth is going to feel a bit different initially, and it is natural that you will want to look around or investigate with your tongue. It is important to remind yourself to ignore these tendencies as it is may lead to stitches becoming loose, accidentally opening up the incision. This can introduce bacteria to the area and delay healing. Something as simple as using your fingers to pull away the lip to look at the incision can be enough to disturb the site and cause bleeding to occur.
Brushing Remaining Teeth Post Surgery
The day after your dental implant surgery, you can begin brushing your remaining teeth with extra special care. Be sure to avoid the surgical area. Soften the bristles ahead of brushing by rinsing your toothbrush under hot water. Ensure you rely on gentle strokes and avoid vigorous brushing.
Salt Water Swish
Your dentist will give you a timeline to follow for post-operative care. Follow your salt water rinsing instructions of using half a teaspoon of salt with one cup of water every two to three hours for several days. Gradually lessen to rinsing three or four times a day for the following two weeks. It is essential to minimize the potential for bacteria buildup by keeping the mouth clean.
Nutritious Soft Food Diet
Keep up with healthy foods during your healing for best results. Vitamins and minerals are vital for your health and well-being. Learn how to love soups, purees, mashed potatoes and shakes that you can enjoy with a spoon instead of a straw. Ensure you are drinking enough water and staying hydrated. Do not have any sugary, carbonated beverages following surgery. Avoid extreme temperatures of cold and hot with your food and beverages.
Are You A Candidate For Dental Implant Therapy?
A tiny titanium post is surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath the gum line. This metal post acts similar to the natural tooth root and provides phenomenal stability once healing and osseointegration take place. Osseointegration refers to the post becoming one with the surrounding bone and gum tissues in the jaw, which can take a few months to complete. Next, an abutment is placed on top of the dental implant screw and the artificial tooth or crown is then attached to the dental implant. Enjoy the flexibility of enjoying your favourite foods and beverages once healing is complete. Your dentist will provide a thorough list of pre and post care instructions to help you maximize your outcome.
Bone Graft
Certain individuals may need to undergo prerequisite surgery prior to receiving their dental implants. If the bone within the jaw is too thin or deemed unable to support a dental implant, bone graft surgery may be required. This procedure helps to build up the bone to ensure that a dental implant will successfully be able to be surgically inserted. In other instances, a sinus lift may be required if there is not adequate bone in the upper jaw bone or in the case of having the sinuses being situated too close to the jaw.
Considerations For Dental Implant Therapy
Having healthy gums and enough bone in the jaw to anchor the implants is essential. Your dentist will take the appropriate measurements and X-Rays to determine if you have enough bone tissue. It is essential for clients to maintain their regular dental checkups afterwards to ensure they are maintaining essential oral hygiene. Once healing is complete, clients can resume brushing and flossing as per usual. Visiting the dentist at least twice a year is important for maintaining your new smile.
Full Arches and Dental Implant Bridges
Single dental implants are common for replacing one missing tooth. However, may clients may decide to undergo All-On-4 arch replacement. This type of dental implant therapy relies on 4 insertion points along the upper jaw and 4 along the lower jaw to secure the teeth.
How To Take Care Of Dental Implants
Once your titanium dental implant has been surgically inserted below your gum line, your dental crown or bridge can be attached. Complete healing can take a few months to occur. It is essential to maintain a healthy gums for life. Removing plaque bacteria daily and practicing excellent oral hygiene will allow your smile to stay vibrant for a life time.
Certain Health Conditions May Impede Your Dental Implant Success
There are some health conditions that can impact the immune system and its’ ability to heal. A variety of system issues or chronic diseases may interfere with dental implant success including: Hemophilia, connective-tissue diseases, severe immunodeficiency and diabetes that is uncontrolled is can all potentially inhibit ones’ ability to undergo this oral treatment. However, many of otherwise healthy candidates may have one of the above conditions and be approved for surgery. Every case is unique. Book your dental implant consultation today to discover if this is the right avenue for you.
Avoid Alcohol & Smoking
It is really important to give yourself the best chance for success. You want your dental implants to be able to fuse to the jaw bone and surrounding gum tissue. Alcohol is best avoided until the clotting and healing is complete. Smoking creates a suction, similar to using a straw and both should not be used.
Brushing & Flossing
Once healing is complete, your dental implant(s) will look like your natural teeth. It is vital to maintain fantastic oral hygiene and resume daily flossing and brushing once you get the “go ahead” from your dentist. Maintaining dental checkups and being proactive with your dental appointments is the best way to take care of your dental implants. It is essential to remove biofilm and plaque bacteria from in between the teeth and along the gum line to ensure a healthy smile. If you find yourself unable to brush or floss, consider taking a moment to rinse your mouth with water or using a piece of sugar-free non-stick dental gum.
Follow Up Fittings May Be Required
Remember, that there may be minor adjustments that need to be made once your dental implants have healed. It is important to make sure your teeth and gums feel secure and comfortable. It is necessary to discuss any discomfort or changes in your bite with your dental implant provider to ensure any changes can be accommodated.
Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Once Again
Dental implants rely on tiny posts that are surgically inserted below the gum line which mimic the structure of the root of the tooth. Once healing is completed, you will be able to enjoy eating and drinking your favorite foods and beverages. Dental implants offer a 98% success rate, making them a sought after option for missing or damaged teeth. Dental implant therapy is transforming smiles all over the globe. Is it time to finally book your dental consultation to determine are dental implants are right for you?
