You might be eager for your favorite seasonal fare if you received dental implants this summer. Barbequed meats, side dishes, snacks, desserts — your treatment will let you eat these easily! However, you should eat some foods carefully to prevent future implant issues.
Here’s a summary of what to expect from your new replacement teeth and three summer foods to eat with caution. By reading it over, you’ll be able to keep your restored smile for a long time.
Dental Implants: A Refresher
Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that restore the appearance and functionality of your natural smile.
The procedure involves a dentist inserting a small titanium post into the jawbone. Once said post fuses with the surrounding bone — a process known as osseointegration — they place a crown on top of it. The result will look natural since the fusion keeps the implant from falling out.
Dental implants are a long-lasting, comfortable, life-like restoration method that allows patients to smile, eat, and speak confidently once again.
What Dental Implants Do for Eating
One of the best tooth replacement procedures, dental implants restore seventy to ninety percent of your original chewing capacity. That means they’ll let you eat almost anything after you’ve healed from treatment.
Unlike other restoration methods, implants won’t shift or slip while you eat. Even so, be careful and avoid biting anything with extreme force. Harder foods like nuts, ice, and popcorn kernels can cause implants to unseat.
Summer Foods to Eat with Discretion
Thanks to implants, you can enjoy many of your favorite foods as you usually would. Still, here are a few summer staples that you should eat with discretion:
- Hot dogs: A summer staple, hot dogs have a lot of saturated fats. Consequently, eating too many of them can trigger gum inflammation or disease that causes implant failure.
- Corn on the cob: Kernels often get stuck between an implant (or natural tooth) and your gums after you’ve bitten directly into a corn on the cob. To keep that from happening, consider cutting the corn off the cob and eating it that way.
- Sugary drinks: As tasty as these drinks are, they’re terrible for natural tooth enamel. Plus, they can even eat away at your implant’s material.
To be clear, you’re free to eat your favorite summer foods after receiving dental implants. Just be careful about those like the ones above — that way, you can celebrate the season with a beautiful smile!
About the Author
Dr. Thomas J. Novak practices dentistry in Weatherford, TX, having earned his DDS from the University of Illinois’ College of Dentistry. As a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry, he’s developed his dental expertise over a thirty-year career. His studies have included laser therapy, dental implants, and more. Dr. Novak currently practices at Beacon Dentistry and can be reached at his website or by phone at (714)-587-9094.