Why No Dairy after Dental Implants?

Dental implants are considered the "gold standard" in tooth replacement. This is because they look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than other options. Traditional dental implants are made up of 3 parts:

• Implant screw
• Abutment
• Crown

The implant screw is inserted into the jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root and creates a stable base for the artificial tooth. The abutment is the piece that secures the implant to the crown. The crown is the part that is visible above the gum line.

Dental implants offer several benefits:

• Restores ability to eat, speak, laugh, etc.
• Improves confidence
• Looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth

On the other hand, there are a few drawbacks:

• Requires oral surgery
• Expensive, dental insurance may not cover the procedure
• Must have good oral hygiene habits

The team at Amores Dental specializes in dental implants. We can help you get back your smile and your confidence. Here's what you need to know about consuming dairy products following dental implant surgery.

What are the risks of consuming dairy after getting a dental implant?

While it is true that dairy contains vitamins and minerals that are good for you, there are several reasons why you should avoid dairy following dental implant surgery.

Dairy contains protein and calcium which can impact healing. The proteins can cause irritation of the implant site, while calcium can cause the implant to become loose and ultimately fall out.

Dairy can cause gastrointestinal distress, especially in those who are lactose intolerant. This can result in nausea and vomiting, which introduces stomach acid to the implant site, which can increase the risk of infection.

Dairy products contain casein, which can increase the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

Dairy products are high in fat, which can increase inflammation, delay healing, and increase the risk of infection.

Dairy products can cause inflammation in the gums, especially around the implant site, which can ultimately lead to implant failure. In addition, dairy can cause plaque buildup on the teeth, which can turn into tartar and lead to gum disease.

By avoiding dairy following dental implant surgery, you reduce your risk of irritation, infection, and implant failure. If you must consume dairy, make sure that you exercise moderation and choose non-fat or low-fat options when possible.

What other foods should be avoided after getting a dental implant?

Once your dental implants are fully healed, you will have no restrictions. You will be able to eat and drink as you normally would if you had all of your natural teeth. However, you will have some restrictions for at least a few weeks.

Foods to Avoid

As a general rule, you'll want to avoid foods that require a lot of effort to chew, cause discomfort, or could cause damage to the implant site. A few things you may want to avoid include:

• Acidic foods
• Spicy foods
• Crunchy foods
• Hot foods
• Sticky foods
• Chewy foods
• Hard foods

If you have specific questions, the dentist can give you some tips for your specific situation.

Foods that Promote Healing

For the first 24 hours, you will have some discomfort and tenderness. Therefore, you'll want to stick to a liquid and soft foods diet. The following foods should be safe for the first 24 hours:

• Smoothies/protein shakes
• Water
• Cold soups
• Sugar-free juices
• Applesauce
• Oatmeal
• Bone broth
• Greek yogurt

After 24 hours, you can begin to include soft foods into your diet as you feel comfortable, including:

• Cooked/steamed veggies
• Soft fresh fruits
• Soft meats
• Eggs/omelets
• Pasta
• Rice
• Pancakes

How long should you wait before consuming dairy after getting a dental implant?

Once osseointegration is complete, after a few months, you should be able to get back to your normal diet. The good news is, you won't have to wait this long to consume dairy again. You should be able to get back to your favorite dairy products after the implant site has healed, in about a week.

There are several factors that can impact the healing of the implant site, including:

• Oral hygiene habits
• Number of implants
• Location of implants
• Health and lifestyle habits
• Body's healing ability

Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Once you are fully healed, you will have no food restrictions. However, during healing, it is very important to follow a liquid or soft foods diet- and to avoid dairy products.

Dairy products can cause inflammation and infection of the implant site, which can ultimately lead to implant failure. Therefore, it is important to leave these out of your diet for at least a week. Once the incision has healed, you can begin to add dairy back to your diet, as the vitamins and minerals can aid in healing.

If you are missing teeth and want to know more about tooth replacement options, schedule your consultation with the team at Amores Dental. We have two locations, one in Dadeland and one in Palmetto Bay. We offer a wide variety of dental services to serve the entire family from children to adults.

Our Dadeland office is located on North Kendall Drive. The office hours for this location are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Our Palmetto Bay office is located on South Dixie Highway. The office hours for this location are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This allows patients who are unable to take time off work to get the dental care they need.

Dental Implants FAQs

The team at Amores Dental believes that it is important for patients to understand the procedures before undergoing them. We will be happy to address any and all questions or concerns you may have. Below are some of the most common questions that we get about dental implants.

• What are the benefits of dental implants?

  Dental implants look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than other tooth replacement options. Dental implants restore your ability to eat, speak, and laugh with confidence. Dental implants are designed to be a lifelong solution, though you may need to replace the artificial tooth/teeth after about 15 to 20 years, depending on your oral hygiene habits.

• Are there any foods I should avoid after getting a dental implant?

  After you have healed, you will have no restrictions. However, during the healing process, you'll want to avoid the following:

  • Dairy products
  • Acidic foods
  • Sticky foods
  • Tough foods
  • Hot foods
  • Spicy foods
  • Chewy foods
  • Crunchy foods
  • Hard foods

• How long should I wait before consuming dairy after getting a dental implant?

  You should wait for about a week after getting dental implants to incorporate dairy back into your diet. This should be sufficient time for the implant site to heal.

• Are there any foods that are beneficial for dental implant health?

  You will want to stick to a liquid or soft foods diet during the healing process, including smoothies/protein shakes, scrambled eggs/omelets, water, Greek yogurt, bone broth, soft meats, and other foods that are easy to chew.

• What are the potential complications of consuming dairy after a dental implant?

  Consuming dairy products following dental implant surgery can cause the implant site to become irritated, and possibly infected. This may ultimately lead to implant failure.