Congratulations on undergoing a successful dental implant! While you may be looking forward to eating regular food again after undergoing a dental implant, there are some things you should avoid. Relax! The restricted diet will not last forever, but observing it throughout the healing time can aid in the effectiveness of your implants. During your recovery period, milk is one of the most forbidden food items. But why?
Let's dig in for the correct answer.
What Not to Do After Getting a Dental Implant?
Before we know "Why no dairy after dental implant," it is essential to understand what not to do after getting a dental implant. During your recovery period, you must strictly adhere to the post-op instructions provided by your surgeon until your gum and jaw bones have healed completely. So, these are the few things that you must avoid after getting a dental procedure done:
- Rinsing with aggression – Avoid rinsing your mouth aggressively for at least two weeks post-surgery. Once the area has healed, opt for a dental water flosser instead of using a traditional flosser, which streams water with pressure to flush out the bacteria and debris in your mouth without causing any pain or cuts.
- Avoid smoking – Nicotine inhibits healing by restricting oxygen flow to your bones and oral tissue. Without proper oxygen flow, it will take longer to heal completely.
- Avoid some food items – Food items that are hard, sticky, chewable, spicy, crispy, or acidic must be avoided during recovery as they may damage the treatment area and increase the risk of complications.
- Keep distance from hot or cold liquids – It is also not recommended to consume hot drinks like coffee, tea, or even soup. Too hot or cold items increase the risk of blood clot formation in the treatment area. But the question is, why can't you have dairy products after oral surgery?
Why Can’t You Have Dairy Products After Oral Surgery?
It is usual for you to ask your dentist, "Can I drink milk after a dental implant?" as it is a high source of protein and promotes healing. Despite its nutritional characteristics, your dentist will advise you to avoid dairy products until your tender gum and jawbone have healed completely.
You must be wondering why? This is because dairy products often cause an inflammable sensation in your oral tissues, which isn't considered much desired after your implant surgery. Dairy also triggers problematic issues such as vomiting and nausea. Not only do these side effects are an unpleasant experience, but excess vomiting can also make your newly attached dental implants vulnerable and weak. Constant vomiting might also make your mouth prone to acidity, which you should avoid during your recovery stage. Therefore, you must avoid cow milk, yogurt, and even cheese to lead to a complication-free recovery time. Once your dentist allows dairy back into your diet, you may enjoy it as much as you like.
Now the next question that is most likely to pop up in your mind is, "Can I eat ice cream after the implant?" as it is also considered a part of dairy products.
The good news is here
Yes, you can eat ice cream after undergoing an implant procedure. The only thing you should be cautious about is the temperature of your ice cream. Make sure the ice cream is not chilled, and you can enjoy its deliciousness.
6 Reasons Why Avoid Dairy After Dental Implants
Dental implant surgery is a major procedure that must be followed by careful aftercare in order to properly heal. One of the common but surprising recommendations is the avoidance of dairy products during recovery. Here's why skipping dairy can help make your dental implants a success.
1. Increased Risk of Bacterial Contamination
Dairy products like yogurt contain live bacteria, which, though beneficial for digestion, can also leave behind unwanted bacteria in the healing implant area. This can lead to infection, especially during the first recovery phase when the surgical area is exposed.
2. Calcium Can Interact with Antibiotics
Antibiotics are generally prescribed for most patients after dental implant surgery to prevent infection. Calcium, which is in dairy products, will combine with certain antibiotics and cause them to be ineffective. This will slow healing and increase the risk of infection.
3. Dairy Can Increase the Risk of Inflammation
Certain dairy products such as cheese and whole milk can induce inflammation in the body. Inflammation will slow down the healing process and become painful in the area of the implant.
4. Dairy Can Cause Mucus Build-Up
Dairy foods will make the mucus thicker, and this will lead to excess saliva and pain in the mouth. The mucus will also make the mouth harder to clean and can also irritate the surgical site, slowing down the healing process.
5. Dairy Can Cause Upset Stomach
Nausea or stomach upset following surgery is experienced by some patients due to medication or anesthesia. Milk products can enhance nausea in some individuals if you are lactose intolerant or dairy sensitive. It can be skipped to prevent stomach upset.
6. Cold Dairy Products Can Trigger Sensitivity
After dental implant surgery, cold foods like ice cream or cold milk can cause pain and sensitivity. The implant area is already sensitive, and the sudden change in temperature can enhance the pain.
How to Maintain Proper Nutrition Without Dairy
Missing out on dairy doesn't equate to a deficiency of nutrients in your body. There are numerous alternatives that serve your recovery without undermining your healing process.
1. Get Calcium from Plant Sources
Leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and spinach are excellent sources of calcium. Calcium-fortified plant milk like almond, soy, or oat milk can also provide adequate calcium without the risks of dairy.
2. Choose High-Protein, Soft Foods
Protein facilitates healing. Add soft protein foods like hummus, tofu, lentils, and eggs. Plant-based protein shakes that are easy on the mouth and rich in nutrition can be taken too.
3. Include Healthy Fats
Healthy fats restore cells and reduce inflammation. Avocado, olive oil, nut butter, and seeds are all great sources of nutrition that will help with recovery.
4. Focus on Soft, Nutrient-Dense Foods
Opt for soft, nutrient-dense foods like mashed sweet potatoes, well-cooked quinoa, oatmeal, and pureed soups. Smoothies made from fruits, vegetables, and plant-based milk are a great source of vital vitamins without irritating your mouth.
5. Stay Hydrated
Hydration encourages healing and also keeps your mouth clean. Drink plenty of water and herbal tea, but avoid sweetened or carbonated drinks that will irritate the implant area.
Best Oral Hygiene Practices After Dental Implant Surgery
Good oral hygiene will avoid infection and maintain your new implant healthy. Simply adhere to these easy guidelines:
1. Brush Gently but Thoroughly
Brush your gums and teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you don't irritate the implant area. The Oclean Flow Sonic Toothbrush is ideal—it's gentle on sensitive areas yet firm enough to effectively remove plaque. Brush your teeth twice a day, but be gentle around the surgical area for a few weeks.
2. Rinse with a Dentist-Recommended Mouthwash
Your dentist may also prescribe an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infection. Rinse gently to manage bacteria but without forceful swishing, which can disturb the healing site.
3. Avoid Flossing Around the Implant (Initially)
Flossing is required, but normal floss is too abrasive for the healing implant site. An interdental brush or water flosser can be used instead to loosen food particles without disturbing the site.
4. Avoid Using Harsh Mouth Rinses and Peroxide
Mouth rinses containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can irritate the surgical site and postpone healing. Saltwater rinses or rinses as suggested by your dentist may be used gently for the first few days.
5. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and alcohol can also impede healing and place the implant at a higher risk of failure. Refrain from them, at least in the initial critical weeks after surgery.
6. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water cleanses your mouth and promotes healing overall. It also washes out food particles and bacteria, keeping your implant site infection-free.
7. Stick to Soft Foods
Eat soft foods that are easy to chew in the first few days, like mashed potatoes, smoothies, or soups. Avoid eating hard, crunchy, or sticky food that can irritate the implant or disrupt the healing process.
Conclusion
After getting an implant, your teeth will be more sensitive than ever during recovery. Therefore, you must follow entirely to the post-operative recommendations and stay hydrated. In addition, it is also vital to practice good oral hygiene even though dental implants are not natural teeth. Your oral hygiene might vary throughout the different stages of recovery, but you must never skip brushing and flossing your teeth.
Once the treatment area has healed, do not forget to clean your mouth using a water flosser that removes debris and bacteria without being too harsh on your sensitive teeth. Explore the Oclean water flosser Collection now!