Dental implant surgery is the best option for people with missing teeth. Implants can retain 90% of chewing ability compared to dentures, which retain only 20% of chewing ability. This means that people with dental implants can eat almost anything. But not right after surgery.
Long-term dental implant success depends on different factors. One of them is following a strict diet. There are foods and drinks that you should avoid during your recovery period:
1. Sticky foods
Sticky foods are insidious. They easily stick to your teeth and gums causing bacterial overgrowth. It can be hard to avoid eating them all the time but limiting them is a good idea. The best thing to do is to floss after eating sticky foods.
Eating sticky foods regularly can unexpectedly lead to loose dentures or dental implants. Popcorn can get stuck between teeth and gums leading to gingivitis. Corn kernels are hard and can cause your dental implants to crack. So be careful when eating popcorn.
2. Teeth-staining foods
Like natural teeth, your dental implants can get stained by certain foods if you’re not careful. With improper dental hygiene, implants might even soak up more stain than natural teeth. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to care for implants correctly. This can help you prevent teeth staining as well as other implant issues.
Eating dark berries, tomato-based sauces, drinking coffee, wine, fruit juices, cola, and smoking cigarettes can provoke deep staining that might be difficult and even impossible to remove.
3. Candy
Even if you have implants, candy still can negatively affect your dental health. Eating candy regularly and not following proper dental hygiene can provoke gingivitis. If left untreated, gum inflammation can result in gum recession and eventually lead to loose implants.
It’s good to avoid candy and other sugary foods as much as possible. Of course, having a piece of chocolate or candy improves your quality of life so you shouldn't restrict yourself completely. But, try avoiding chewing on hard candies or sticky candies, like caramels or taffy.
4. Hard foods
Dental implants are pretty durable and considered one of the best tooth-replacement options but they still can be damaged by hard foods. Once your implants have healed, you can consume crunchy foods. There is no need to eliminate them from your diet. After the initial recovery period, hard foods are still unwanted options. If you want to eat something hard, be extra careful.
5. Soda and sports drinks
The problem is that soda and sports drinks are high-acid and sugary. Consuming these beverages in excess can damage your dental implants. Soda and sports drinks can decrease the body’s ability to absorb and get rid of calcium, which negatively affects bone health. Bone problems can hamper the successful implementation of dental implants.
6. Alcohol
Frequent and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration. Overall dehydration is usually accompanied by dry mouth - one of the reasons for gum disease. Gum disease can cause gum recession. Gum recession can make your dental implants lose.
Having dental implants requires dietary changes. You can try eliminating or at least reducing the foods listed above. This can help you avoid many implant-related complications. It’s also essential to visit your dentist on a regular basis after the dental implant procedure. These appointments are needed for the evaluation of your teeth and timely detection of dental issues.
Eliminating drinks and foods like soda, sports drinks, alcohol, and candies can also be beneficial for your overall health. The less sugar and alcohol you consume, the stronger your immune system.
Tags: health