Dental implants have completely revolutionized the field of dentistry, providing a reliable and long-term solution for patients with missing teeth. This is thanks to their unique placement method directly into the jawbone with the help of biocompatible titanium posts. The result is replacement teeth that look, feel, and function just like real ones—meaning eating isn’t an issue at all for those with dental implants! However, it’s still advisable to adhere to a healthy diet after receiving implants, in order to set them up for decades of use. Here’s what you need to know.
How Does Diet Influence Dental Implant Integrity?
It’s well-known that a healthy diet goes a long way toward improving your body’s wellness. Much like how eating the right foods benefits our mind, body, and spirit, making sensible dietary choices also equates to fewer dental issues. But to understand how your diet benefits your dental implants, you must first understand how they function within your mouth.
Following dental implant surgery, your new implant posts need some time to properly fuse with your jaw; this process, called osseointegration, takes several months and is the single biggest factor that determines the long-term success of the implants. This means that patients should prioritize accommodating osseointegration, and one surefire way of doing this is appropriately altering their diet, both in the short and long term.
Certain foods that are too sugary or starchy can create an excess of oral bacteria that threaten your implants as they heal since they’ll attack your gum tissue. Other items that are hard to bite or chew can also be problematic, as they might disrupt the position of the implant posts. While good oral hygiene and adhering to post-surgical guidelines are both paramount in the ongoing fight against gum disease, sticking to the correct diet should absolutely not be taken for granted or neglected.
Great Food Choices for Patients with Dental Implants
It’s worth noting that while dental implants are healing, a patient should only stick to softer foods that won’t disrupt the implant posts. However, once they’ve healed, the focus shifts to long-term care. In order to promote a healthy jawbone and empower your dental implants, you should try to opt for good sources of calcium and vitamin D. These include choices like:
- Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel
- Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt
- Egg yolks
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Tofu
- Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, and collard greens
Similarly, you’ll want to select foods that can also benefit your body’s immune system so that you’re at a lower risk for oral infections. Consider options like:
- Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons
- Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
- Garlic, ginger, and turmeric
- Nuts and seeds like almonds and sunflower seeds
- Green tea
General Advice for Taking Care of Dental Implants
A healthy diet is only part of the equation; it also boils down to making smart lifestyle choices, maintaining your oral hygiene habits, and regularly visiting your dentist. Be sure that you’re drinking plenty of water, as it’s the best beverage for your overall health. Likewise, if you partake in nasty habits like smoking or dipping, now’s a great time to quit for the benefit of your implants.
Dental implants might be replacement teeth, but you’ll want to care for them as if they were your original pearly whites—and sticking to a healthy diet is one of the simplest yet most effective ways of ensuring their long-term success!
About the Practice
Our talented team here at Dudley Family Dental has proudly served patients and families in the Dudley, MA community for several years! If you have any questions or concerns about the dental implant process, or you’d like to arrange a consultation for you or someone you know, feel free to contact us online or by phone for additional information. Telephone: (508) 714-7119.