What Summer Foods Can You Enjoy with Your Dental Implants?

Maybe you’re planning on getting dental implants soon to replace any teeth that were lost or extracted. Or maybe you already had dental implant surgery done earlier in the year and have recently received your final restoration. In either case, you’re probably wondering the same thing: “Will I be able to enjoy all my favorite summer foods with dental implants?” After all, it can be difficult to get the most out of your summer when certain foods are off-limits. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be an issue! The following post covers some tips on what kinds of foods you’ll be able to eat after implant placement as well as after your mouth has completely healed.

What Foods Can You Eat After Surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, your dentist will recommend that you eat only soft and liquid foods for a week or so after you get dental implants in Grand Prairie. The good news is that there are quite a few soft foods that are perfect for summertime, such as macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and ice cream. You can also cool off with a refreshing fruit smoothie, but don’t drink it with a straw; eat it with a spoon instead so that you don’t disturb the area around the implants while it is still recovering.

Once your mouth has healed after implant surgery, you’ll be able to eat heartier foods again. However, you still need to avoid putting too much pressure on your dental implants until they’ve been properly restored. Be careful to always chew your food on the opposite side of your mouth from your implants until the final restoration is in place.

What Foods Can You Eat with Fully Restored Implants?

After you’ve gotten your new implant restoration, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods again. Implants provide chewing power that’s almost on par with natural teeth, so you won’t have any trouble eating watermelon, hamburgers, and other summer favorites. You can look forward to a summer full of tasty treats without having to worry about your new teeth.

Are There Any Summer Foods You Should Be Careful Around?

There are a couple of notable summer foods that you’ll want to be cautious of if you have dental implants:

• Hot dogs contain high amounts of processed saturated fats that can put you at risk for gum disease, a major cause of implant failure. You can still eat hot dogs every once in a while, but try not to overindulge.
• Corn on the cob can be eaten with implants, but the kernels can sometimes get caught between the posts and your natural teeth. It’s often safer to eat corn with a fork or spoon.

As long as you’re careful around potentially risky foods and stick to a diet that’s appropriate for where you are in the dental implant process, you’ll be able to spend the summer eating plenty of tasty foods with the help of your new teeth. Talk to your dentist if there’s anything else you want to know about eating with your dental implants.

About the Author

Dr. Heliben Desai studied dentistry in India, and she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in Jersey in 2014. She currently treats patients in the DFW area at Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie. She works with local specialists to help her patients enjoy the benefits of dental implants, the modern gold standard for replacing missing teeth. To schedule a consultation with her, visit her website or call (469) 346-8828.