If you have decided to have dental implant surgery to restore your smile back to its beauty and functionality then you have made a beneficial investment in your long-term quality of life and improved oral health. When a patient elects to have dental implant surgery, there could be many reasons why. One common motivation is the durability and strength of dental implants which are not removable. Meaning, that they act like normal natural teeth, so they do not have to be taken out of the mouth every day and cleaned. Dental implants stay firmly placed in the mouth. Also when it comes to talking and eating, they will be secure in the mouth and will not slide around the way that dentures can. 

Either before or after dental implant surgery is completed, one of the most common questions that come up is how long it takes before a patient can eat like normal again. After all, eating all the foods that you love without issue is one of the many perks of having dental implants. For questions about dental implant surgery and what to expect, residents of the greater San Diego area can call the San Diego dental implant specialist at McBride Dental. Dr. McBride has more than three decades of experience with implant dentistry.

How Long Must You Wait to Eat After Dental Implant Surgery?

After your dental implant surgery, you will be able to look in the mirror and love your smile again. Your speech will be restored back to the way that it was before you had missing teeth, and your overall oral health improved. But, perhaps best of all, is that you will no longer be limited in what you can eat. The great news here is that you can start eating immediately right after your surgery. 

When you decide what you are going to eat, picking healthful and nourishing foods is best. These choices will aid your body in recovery. As you are healing, your bones and gums where the implant was placed will need to grow and become robust again. Feuling that growth with nutritious foods can ensure that you heal efficiently and in the shortest amount of time possible.

Immediately after surgery, over the next 24 hours, stick to food options that are smooth and soft. Also, picking cool foods over hot is a good idea. So cold soups like gazpacho or flavorful smoothies will work. Then, you can slowly transition to more solid foods. But keep it easy on your healing implant by picking protein-rich options that can be fairly easy to chew. Scrambled eggs, yogurt and cheese, potatoes, and fish. As healing continues and your implant becomes even more stable in your mouth, maybe in about a week or two, you can try chicken and steak, and acidic foods like tomatoes. 

Speak with a Dental Implant Surgeon in San Diego Today

For all of your dental implant and oral restoration needs, please call McBride Dental. The San Marcos cosmetic dentist at McBride Dental can examine your mouth’s health and provide options that may work for your specific needs. Call McBride Dental today to schedule a free consultation at (760) 471-1003.