What you eat in the days after implant surgery can affect comfort and healing. The exact instructions depend on your procedure, so always follow what your dentist gives you. The points below describe the general approach.
The first day or two
Right after surgery your mouth may be numb, so wait until the numbness wears off before eating. This helps you avoid biting your cheek, lip or tongue.
Choose foods that are soft, cool or lukewarm, and need little or no chewing:
- Yogurt, applesauce and pudding
- Smoothies eaten with a spoon (your dentist may advise against straws for the first days)
- Mashed potatoes and well-cooked, soft vegetables
- Scrambled eggs and soft pasta
- Broth-based soups that are not too hot
- Ice cream and gelatin
What to avoid while the area heals
- Hot food and drinks, which can increase bleeding or swelling early on
- Crunchy or hard foods, such as nuts, chips, popcorn and raw carrots
- Sticky foods, such as caramel and chewy candy
- Very spicy or acidic foods, which can irritate the surgical area
- Alcohol and smoking, which can interfere with healing
Chew on the side opposite the surgery site when you can, and keep food away from the area your dentist asked you to protect.
Moving back to a regular diet
Most people add firmer foods gradually over the following days and weeks as comfort allows. If a bone graft was placed, or if several implants were placed, your dentist may recommend a softer diet for longer. Do not rush this step: biting hard on a healing implant can disturb it.
After the implant has fused with the bone and your final crown is placed, you can usually eat normally, with the same common-sense care you would give natural teeth.
Nutrition and hydration
Drink plenty of water and try to include protein, because your body uses it to heal. If your appetite is low, small meals through the day can be easier than large ones.
When to call your dentist
Contact the office if you have bleeding that does not slow with gentle pressure, swelling that keeps increasing after the first few days, a fever, or pain that is getting worse instead of better. For severe swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
More about implants
Learn what recovery involves in our guide to how long implant recovery takes, and see our dental implants page for the full process. For long-term habits, read how to care for your dental implants.
This article is general information and does not replace an exam or personal advice from your dentist.
Have questions about your own teeth? Request an appointment or call (747) 339-7016.
