For people who are missing teeth, there may not be a more functional, realistic-looking, and durable option than dental implant services in Bingham Farms. However, because this solution includes a surgical component, many people wonder how it will impact their diet in both the long term and the short term. Any time a dental surgeon is doing invasive work inside a patient’s mouth, no matter how minor, there will be a few changes to one’s diet during the healing process. Long-term, however, dental implants can help patients rediscover the joy of eating, which actually can improve one’s nutrition over time.

How Surgery Recovery May Change Your Diet

First, let’s talk about the immediate dietary changes that will occur following surgery. The procedure itself requires the installation of a titanium post, which needs time to fuse properly into your jawbone. This period, called the osseointegration phase, is essential for the long-term durability of the tooth and requires that patients follow Jamestowne South Dental’s directions to a tee.

What does this mean for eating? For at least the first few days after getting your implant surgery, and perhaps even a week or two afterward, patients will need to consume only liquids and soft foods. Eating anything crunchy or chewy could cause irritation and/or pain. At its worst, it could even damage the surgical site.

How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Diet Long-Term

At some point, your dentist or oral surgeon will confirm that your titanium posts have properly rooted themselves in your jawbone, which means it will be safe to return to eating as you normally would. In fact, you may even find that you’re comfortable eating foods you haven’t been able to consume comfortably in years.

One thing replacing a gap in your teeth does is improve your bite force, while also keeping surrounding teeth from shifting and strengthening your chewing muscles. In the mood for steak? Go for it! Hoping to take a bite out of a big, crunchy apple? Nothing is stopping you!

The important thing is to make sure you’ve got the green light from Jamestowne South Dental before you start eating everything and anything, which you’ll almost certainly want to do after your time on a liquid/soft food diet. The good news, though, is that once you’ve gotten that green light, your dietary options are wide open. Your nutrition could even improve as you reintegrate crunchy fruits and veggies back into your diet.

Getting Dental Implants at Perfecting Your Smile

If you are interested in gathering more information about dental implants, call Jamestowne South Dental Cracchiolo at Perfecting Your Smile to set up a consultation. We can answer any questions you may have about the process and give you an estimate in terms of what your implant(s) may cost.

No one wants to have missing teeth, not only for aesthetic reasons but to maintain the health of your remaining healthy teeth. Dental implants can help with that, while they also can restore your bite to its former glory. Just remember that there may be some dietary restrictions following surgery. After exercising a little patience, however, you’ll be able to eat like you used to before that missing tooth came around in the first place!