When Can You Eat Again After Getting Dental Implants?

When you experience tooth loss, you want to find the best way to replace your tooth in Las Vegas, NV. At Michaela Tozzi, DMD, we use dental implants to help patients restore their smiles. Tooth loss affects how your smile looks as well as how you speak, chew, and bite. Some people feel self-conscious because of gaps left by missing teeth. Dental implants help improve your smile. During an initial consultation, Dr. Tozzi, a board-certified doctor of dental medicine, can diagnose and treat a variety of oral health conditions. She can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, or another treatment option, near Las Vegas, NV.

About dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are surgically inserted into your jawbone to create a long-term tooth loss solution. They are natural-looking, which allows you to enjoy a restored smile and improved oral health. After being placed into your jaw, osseointegration must occur where the bone fuses with the implant to become a stable replacement. The average healing time takes from two to six months. After Dr. Tozzi determines that osseointegration has happened, a custom crown is placed on top of the implant to complete the implant process.

To be a candidate for dental implants in Las Vegas, NV, you must have:

• One or more missing teeth

• A strong enough jawbone to withstand the healing process

• Good overall health

• No existing oral health problem (if so, it must be addressed before the implant process begins)

Diet after dental implants

After getting dental implants, you should be able to eat all of your favorite foods without any pain. However, for the first 24 – 48 hours post-op, you must have a cold liquid diet. Also, you should not drink out of a straw or use a water bottle that has suctions for at least two weeks. For the first three months of dental implant healing, you will be on a soft diet. This is because you will be wearing a temporary, which should not be used to chew on crunchy or hard foods.

Foods you can eat while healing

Some of the foods that you can eat during the first week after surgery include:

• Applesauce

• Coffee

• Cottage cheese

• Fruit juice

• Jell-O

• Liquid protein

• Milk or milkshakes

• Popsicles

• Pudding

• Smoothies

• Soup

• Yogurt

After the first week, you will be able to add more food, including:

• Soft fruit, like peaches, pears, mangos, or bananas

• Steamed vegetables

• Roasted chicken

• Meatloaf

• Tofu

• Broiled fish

• Waffles

• Pancakes

• Spaghetti or macaroni

• Cream of rice or oatmeal

• Scrambled eggs

• Any food from the previous list

What foods to avoid after dental implant surgery

Some foods that you should avoid eating after dental implant surgery include:

• Crunchy snacks, such as chips or pretzels

• Corn on the cob

• Subs

• Raw apples or vegetables

• Hard candy

• Gum

• Granola

Dr. Tozzi can provide instructions on the proper diet to follow after your dental implant surgery near Las Vegas, NV.

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants are not permanent. The amount of time that implants last will depend on how well you care for them. Oral hygiene is an essential step to making sure your implant remains strong. Your implant location will also determine how long it will last because teeth in the back will receive more pressure than other teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to implant failure and, possibly, the development of gum disease. When your implant is maintained correctly, it can last a lifetime with regular dental exams and routine cleanings. Your crown will last up to 15 ­— 20 years.

Learn how dental implants restore your smile

Dental implants are a great way to restore your smile near Las Vegas, NV. Dr. Michaela Tozzi uses this procedure to help improve her patients’ oral health. When you’re looking for tooth replacement options and want to know if you’re a candidate for dental implants, call our professional team today to schedule a consultation a Michaela Tozzi, DMD.