Men and women who are missing a single tooth, a few teeth, or who require an entirely new set of teeth can all benefit greatly from dental implants with Dr. Chang at Dental Restorative Group. This life-changing tooth-replacement system fully restores oral function and gives patients a stronger bite and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Treatment with dental implants is made successful with small titanium rods that are used to replace missing tooth roots. Once the dental implants have been placed, an abutment will be attached to the top. This abutment will hold your new, natural-looking teeth permanently in place. Dr. Chang can use one implant to replace several neighboring missing teeth, or as few as 4 dental implants to replace an entire arch of missing teeth.
After you have your dental implants placed, you should be prepared for some changes in your diet during your recovery period. But don’t worry—once your dental implants have fully healed and fused to your jawbone, you’ll be free from dietary restrictions, and you’ll be able to eat anything your heart desires!
The First 24 Hours After Your Procedure
The first 24 hours following your dental implants procedure, Dr. Chang and his team want to stress how important it is for patients to maintain a healthy diet, no matter the restrictions on your diet immediately following your procedure.
It’s still possible to maintain a balanced diet with vegetables, fruit, protein, and healthy fats as you recover. The key to success is to stock up on the right foods and drinks before you visit Dr. Chang for your dental implants procedure.
Dr. Chang does not require his dental implants patients to be restricted to an all liquids diet during the first 24 hours after their procedure, but liquids might be the best option for you from a comfort standpoint. When consuming liquids, be sure they are at room temperature and aren’t too hot or too cold, as either extreme could cause discomfort to your gums and incision sites. Some liquids you can consider stocking up on prior to your dental implants procedure are:
- Water
- Flavored water
- Protein shakes or smoothies
- Pure fruit or vegetable juices
- Bone broths
- Herbal tea
- Milkshakes
- Puréed soup
Be sure to avoid using a straw when you eat or drink liquids. Instead, use a spoon to consume foods in the first day or two after you have your dental implants placed.
Stick to Soft Foods Throughout the Remainder of Your Recovery
Once you have completed the first 24 hours after your dental implants surgery, Dr. Chang recommends that his patients stick to a soft foods diet for at least a week, or until he has cleared you to resume your normal diet. This dietary restriction during your recovery is in place to protect your gums and jawbone as they heal. In addition to avoiding hard and crunchy foods, be sure to avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, or too hot as these could irritate your incision sites. Consider consuming the following foods during your recovery period:
- Frozen yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Mashed bananas
- Scrambled eggs
- Jell-O
- Boiled eggs
- Applesauce
- Tofu
- Pudding or custard
- Ice cream
- Ripe avocado
- Hummus
- Cottage cheese
- Pasta
- Instant oatmeal
- Flaky fish
Talk to Dr. Chang if You Have Additional Dietary Questions During Your Recovery
If you’re ready to have your loose, missing, or diseased teeth replaced with dental implants, but you still have questions regarding what you should or shouldn’t eat during your recovery, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Chang in with any questions. You can reach a member of his team by calling (617) 489-1470 today!
