What can I drink after the implant?

Q: What can I drink after implant surgery?

The first couple of days after the surgery, youll want to stick to all-liquid meals if at all possible. This includes smooth soups (nothing too chunky), home-cooked broths and bouillon, meal replacement drinks, protein drinks, fruit smoothies, and various juices.

Once your dental implant has osseointegrated and your mouth has healed fully, you will be able to eat whatever you like. In the aftermath of dental implant surgery, however, there are some food restrictions that your dental practitioner will put in place. These recommendations are best for healing and comfort after your dental implant procedure and should be followed strictly. Today we are going to explain ‘why no dairy after dental implant’ procedures, and give you some ideas for dairy-free alternatives.

Table of Contents Show

The Importance Of Eating Soft Foods During Recovery
So What Can You Eat?
But Why No Dairy?
Make Sure You Get Plenty Of Protein During Healing
What can I drink after implant surgery?
Can you drink after getting the implant?
What can you not do after an implant?
How long after an implant can you drink coffee?

The Importance Of Eating Soft Foods During Recovery

While it may be difficult to get through initially, you have to keep reminding yourself about the end result of your dental implant surgery: the ability to eat whatever you want. Until your gums and jaw bone is fully healed, there will be some limitations on what you eat.

You must follow your dental practitioner’s instruction but in general, you can expect to avoid:

Chewy and tough foods: Red meat and raw vegetables are good examples
Sticky food: Caramel and toffee apples are not recommended during your recovery
Crunchy food: popcorn and crisps should be avoided
Spicy food: Chilies and salsa are good examples
Acidic foods like lemons, oranges and tomatoes are not recommended after dental implant procedures.

Very hot food and drinks should also be avoided. Hot liquids like soups, tea and coffee are not recommended, but you should also take care to ensure that you do not overheat other foods before trying to eat them. The reason for this is you run the risk of dislodging the blood clot that forms at the surgical site if you do consume very hot (especially liquid) foods. If you dislodge the blood clot you will develop a condition called dry socket, which can cause very intense pain.

So What Can You Eat?

You might want to make a list of soft foods that you enjoy because these are most beneficial to you in the days after your dental implant surgery. After the surgery, your mouth and gums will be sensitive but you may feel hungry, and you need sustenance to help you with a faster recovery.

Some soft foods that you may want to try in the first 24-hours after your dental implant procedure:

Smoothies are a good source of vitamins and minerals if you make them fresh yourself. Make sure your smoothie isn’t too cold when you drink it.

Cold soups are helpful too. Even though hot soups are not recommended, a cold soup is a good way to get your intake of fresh vegetables.

Once you have passed the 24-hour mark, you can get a bit more adventurous but you still want to keep the food soft. Some other ideas for later in the week include:

Eggs and omelettes are a good source of protein and are easy to eat when your mouth feels sensitive
Potatoes are really helpful because you can prepare them in different ways so you don’t get bored eating the same menu over and over.
Ground meat like beef, chicken or lamb can help you to get your recommended daily intake of protein.
Oats are a great addition to your diet because they require minimal chewing and give you a healthy dose of fibre and carbohydrates.

But Why No Dairy?

Yes, it’s true. In the days after your dental implant surgery, you will be advised against dairy products, even though they are soft and a good source of protein. So, why no dairy? Dairy causes an inflammatory response in the oral tissues and this is not desirable after you have had dental implant surgery.

Dairy has also been known to trigger nausea and vomiting. While these side effects are unpleasant enough, vomiting can compromise your newly placed dental implant and introduce acidity into your mouth as you are trying to heal.

Examples of dairy food to avoid

Cow’s milk
Yoghurt
Cheese

Once your dental practitioner gives you the green light you will be able to add dairy products back into your diet and benefit from the protein and calcium in them.

Make Sure You Get Plenty Of Protein During Healing

Protein plays a major role in the healing process because your body needs it to repair tissues that may have been damaged during dental implant surgery. Your body also needs a good dose of protein to help it ward off infection, of which there may be an elevated risk after a dental implant procedure.

If you find that you don’t have much of an appetite, protein powder can be added to most meals and smoothies and should be considered if you are battling to ingest it in the form of food.

To find out more about what you can and can’t eat after dental implant surgery, or for guidance in preparing for your procedure, and also other concerns like cost of dental implants, please contact us for an appointment: (02) 9158 6211.

References

Diet tips from Dr Grubb
https://drgrubb.com/dental-implants/what-to-eat-after-dental-implant-surgery/

Why no dairy after dental implant
https://talkradionews.com/why-no-dairy-after-dental-implant/#r

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What can I drink after implant surgery?

The first couple of days after the surgery, you'll want to stick to all-liquid meals if at all possible. This includes smooth soups (nothing too chunky), home-cooked broths and bouillon, meal replacement drinks, protein drinks, fruit smoothies, and various juices.

Can you drink after getting the implant?

How Long Should I Avoid Alcohol after Dental Implant Surgery? After dental implants are placed, they are the most vulnerable within the first 72 hours. For this reason, our team recommends abstaining from alcohol for at least three days following your surgery.

What can you not do after an implant?

What should I avoid after my implant treatment? Take care to only have cold drinks and do not eat until the local anaesthetic has worn off. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for the first day and do not 'swill' liquid over the area. Try not to disturb the area with your tongue or fingers.

How long after an implant can you drink coffee?

Is Coffee Okay After Implant Surgery? After implant surgery, your gums are healing from having an incision made through them. It is vitally important that you avoid drinking hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate after the procedure itself for up to two or three days.