Can I Eat Normally with My Dental Implant?

Dental implants are the only way to replace missing teeth both above and below the gumline. Since they’re so similar to natural teeth, you can enjoy all of your favorite foods without worry. However, there are a few dietary precautions you should take if you want it to last you a lifetime. Here’s everything you need to know about eating with your new dental implant in Pasadena.

Initial Dietary Precautions for Dental Implants

Directly after your dental implant procedure, your mouth will likely still feel numb from the local anesthetic. As you wait for feeling to return, it’s important to choose your foods carefully to prevent accidentally biting down on or burning your lips, cheeks, or tongue. During the next several hours, you should avoid chewing anything and refrain from consuming any hot foods or drinks.

To ensure that your jawbone and gum tissue heal correctly, you should avoid putting excessive pressure on the area for two weeks following your surgery. You’re encouraged to stick to a soft-food diet that includes items like ice cream, yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and smoothies.

Enjoy Your Favorite Foods with Dental Implants

Once your new dental implant has fused with your jawbone, you can enjoy all your favorite foods without worry. Thanks to its firm foundation in your jaw and the durable materials it’s made of, you’ll regain nearly 90% biting power. You’ll easily be able to tear and chew steak, corn on the cob, crusty breads, and crunchy vegetables.

What Precautions to Take While Eating with Dental Implants

Even though dental implants are designed to withstand nearly every food, some can shorten their lifespan. If you want your dental implant to last for decades to come, you should snack on a few things carefully. Here’s what precautions your Pasadena implant dentist recommends taking when eating:

• Popcorn: Popped popcorn may be a light and fluffy snack, but the un-popped kernels are quite the opposite. Chopping down on one can quickly crack natural teeth and dental implants alike.
• Apples: When eating apples or other crunchy vegetables, it’s a good idea to cut them up into smaller pieces first to avoid putting excess pressure on your dental implant.
• Nuts: Nuts are hard enough to wear down and weaken your dental implant. While you don’t need to avoid eating them entirely, you should snack on them carefully.
• Ice: Chewing on ice is highly discouraged for both the safety of your dental implant and your natural teeth. Either can crack after regularly chewing on ice.
• Candy: Your new dental implant can handle nearly any kind of candy, including sticky, chewy, and hard varieties. However, these can weaken your implant if you over-indulge. Protect your new tooth and lower your risk of cavities by limiting how much candy you eat.

Nothing can restore the look, feel, or function of a missing tooth like a dental implant can. This modern tooth replacement option can help you get back to enjoying a complete smile and all your favorite foods!

About the Author

No matter how many teeth you’re missing, Dr. Huy Nguyen can help you rebuild your smile with dental implants. He has completed advanced training that allows him to perform every step of your dental implant procedure in his Pasadena, TX office. This one-stop approach means that you’ll be taken care of by your familiar dental team and Dr. Nguyen can personally ensure your treatment is as comfortable as possible. If you have more questions about dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact him via his website or at (713) 534-8800.