What Can You Eat After Dental Implant Surgery? EON Clinics

Dental implants are the only long-term solution that allows you to eat, speak, and smile just like you would with a natural, full set of teeth. One of the major benefits of dental implants is being able to eat all your favorite foods with zero pain. But in order to get to that exciting stage of your dental implant journey, it’s important to follow our post-procedure food guidelines.

It’s our goal to aid your dental implant success with a comfortable and speedy recovery. Continue reading to learn what can you eat after dental implant surgery and which foods our oral surgeons recommend after dental implant surgery.

Can I Eat Immediately After Dental Implant Surgery ?

About an hour after dental implant surgery, you may remove the gauze sponges that have been placed in your mouth and have something to eat.

24-48 Hours Post-Op: Cool Liquid Diet

Here are some general guidelines on what you can and cannot consume immediately following your dental implant procedure:

For the first 24 to 48 hours, consume only cool liquids.
Avoid hot foods and drinks for several hours after surgery.
Do not drink through a straw or use a water bottle that requires suctions for at least 2 weeks. If you’ve had a sinus exposure or bone grafting, this is extended to 1 month.
Do comply with your “Week One” dietary guidelines that our care team provides. Following these precautions will give your mouth a better chance to heal properly.

For the first three months of dental implant healing, you’ll be on a soft diet. During this time your dental implants are integrating, and you’re wearing a temporary prosthesis that is not meant to be used to chew hard or crunchy foods. Not sure what a soft diet entails? No worries! Our care team will provide a list of food recommendations and be available to answer any questions you may have.

What Foods Can You Eat After Dental Implant Surgery ?

Here is a list of foods you should eat concluding your implant surgery:

Week One After Surgery: “No-Chew” Diet

Apple Sauce
Avocados (mashed)
Coffee and tea
Cottage cheese
Fruit ices and popsicles
Fruit juices, including nectars and juices with pulp
Jell-O
Liquid protein supplements like Boost, Ensure, Resource
Milk
Milkshakes
Pudding
Smoothies (seedless)
Soups (cream or broth)
Yogurt
Water

Week Two: Soft “Fork-Tender” Diet

From 2 weeks post-op until we place your definitive bridge, it’s important for you to eat only foods that are soft and easy to chew. Avoid hard and chewy foods like raw fruit, sandwiches, pizza crusts, etc. Instead, start with foods that are still quite soft; anything that can be cut with the side of a fork is suitable for this part of your diet.

Fruits and Vegetables

Soft fruits like bananas, mangos, peaches, and pears (avoid fruits with seeds, such as raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
Apple sauce
Steamed veggies

Meats and Other Protein Sources

Broiled fish
Roasted or chicken stew
Soups with small soft pieces of vegetables and meat
Tofu
Meatloaf

Bread, Pasta, or Rice

Soft loaves of bread
Waffles
Pancakes
Muffins
Spaghetti, macaroni, rice pasta
Cooked, refined cereals, such as cream of rice, oatmeal, grits, or farina (cream of wheat)

Other Soft Foods

Items from Week One list
Pudding
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Mashed potatoes
Ice cream
Applesauce
Cottage cheese
Scrambled eggs

What Foods Should I Avoid Eating After Dental Implant Surgery ?

Here are some foods you should avoid eating after your dental implant surgery:

Chips and pretzels
Crusty breads
Corn on the cob
Granola
Gum
Hard candy
Pizza (crust)
Raw apples and vegetables
Sub sandwiches
Steaming, hot foods

Read More: Dental Implant Recovery FAQs

Nutrition After Dental Implant Surgery

It is important to remember to eat daily. Eating and drinking regularly will make you feel better and heal more quickly. It will also give you more energy and nourishment. One of the things patients lack most while on a soft food diet is protein; we recommend adding protein supplements to your diet. The first few days of eating may be a little uncomfortable so it’s important to follow your dietary restrictions and eat the recommended foods to ensure you’re not aggravating your healing process.

If you are a diabetic, maintain your eating habits and check your glucose frequently. This is key to infection prevention and avoiding diabetic-related complications.

After your dental implant procedure, you’ll be anxiously excited to start eating your favorite meals again. But it is so important to eat the proper foods during each healing stage. Your long-term dental implant success depends on it! Once your jaw has fully healed, you’ll receive your permanent prosthesis, also known as a ‘definitive,’ and you’ll be able to eat anything you’d like. Craving steak, corn on the cob, or apples? All these foods will be easy and enjoyable to consume with dental implants from EON Clinics.

Get Started with a Free Consultation

Interested in receiving more helpful information about dental implants or scheduling a free consultation at a clinic near you? Call us at 800-250-3500 or visit our website at https://www.eonclinics.com/.