What to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery

Diet Tips from Dr. Richard Grubb

Once fully healed and integrated into your jawbone, dental implants give you the chewing strength you need to enjoy all your favorite foods. However, it’s important to avoid certain foods the first few weeks after they’re placed for a successful implant treatment. After your procedure, Dr. Grubb will provide you with instructions on how to care for your fixtures as they heal over time as well as what foods to avoid.

Explore our guide below to learn some helpful tips for your post-surgery diet.

Foods You Should Avoid

To prevent your dental implants from getting damaged and setting your treatment back, you should avoid the following foods for at least a week after your implant surgery:

• Tough Foods: steak and raw vegetables
• Crunchy Foods: popcorn and chips
• Sticky Foods: caramel and taffy
• Chewy Foods: gummies and bagels
• Spicy Foods: hot peppers and salsa
• Acidic Foods: oranges and tomatoes
• Hot Foods & Liquids: coffee and soup

What to Eat the Day After Your Surgery?

After your dental implants are placed, your teeth and jaw will be in a very delicate state. It’s important to stick to a soft-food diet for the first 24 hours after surgery. Dr. Grubb recommends incorporating the following foods to help with your meal planning:

• Smoothies: contain essential vitamins to restore your energy. Smoothies also don’t require any chewing, making them an ideal meal option.
• Applesauce: provides many nutrients without harming your dental implants.
• Cold Soups: While it’s necessary to avoid hot foods and liquids, you can still enjoy cold soups such as gazpacho.

When drinking liquids, it’s important to avoid using a straw, since the suction force puts pressure on your implant and can interfere with the healing process. You should also refrain from drinking alcohol or smoking for at least a few days.

Foods to Help With Your Recovery

As your jawbone continues to heal, you can slowly reintroduce solid foods into your diet. Dr. Grubb recommends choosing meals that are rich in protein and other essential nutrients in order to speed up the recovery process. Some of these include:

• Eggs & Omelets: Eggs are easy to chew and filled with protein. Mix them with vegetables to make an omelet for a well-balanced diet.
• Potatoes: Potatoes are very versatile and can be prepared in several different ways without losing their soft texture.
• Chicken, Fish, & Ground Beef: Dr. Grubb recommends slowly introducing meat back into your diet. Start with softer meats like chicken, fish, and ground beef that can be finely chopped into salads or pasta for a more delicious meal.
• Milk, Cheese, & Yogurt: Dairy products are loaded with protein and calcium that can help in the healing process and keep your teeth strong.

Frequently Asked Questions