You don’t have to do a ton to prepare for your tooth implant surgery, but we will give you a few pre-op instructions before your procedure. You’ll want to take these steps to ensure things go as smoothly and efficiently as possible on the day of your surgery.
Aside from wearing loose clothing and not eating anything before you come in for your appointment, there’s one more step you can take in the days before your procedure to make your life easier after it’s done. Maybe you’re not one for planning, but stick with us — because you’ll be so happy you stocked your fridge with soft, easy-to-eat, and nutritious foods NOW rather than trying to get your soft foods diet figured out after the procedure.
But what’s on a soft foods menu? We’re excited to show off our culinary prowess in this week’s blog post. Keep reading for the ideal post-dental implant surgery menu — it’s enough to get anyone’s mouth watering!
Stock Up on Dairy
You can really go wild with your favorite dairy items after you have an oral surgery, including dental implant placement. Your mouth will be a little sore in the first few days, and easy-to-eat dairy items like yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, and other favorites are perfect for your recovery.
Do you like smoothies? We do — and they’re a good way to get in some extra nutrients, too. Why not try a simple fruit and yogurt smoothie? It’s as easy as it sounds. Fruit, yogurt, blender, voila.
Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables
The key to getting a soft food diet right is making sure you consume enough of the nutrients that will aid in a speedy, comfortable recovery. Getting fruits and vegetables may seem tricky if you’re used to eating them raw or if you love biting into a fresh apple, but it’s really not so difficult to keep your fiber and vitamin intake up with a soft foods diet.
We’ve already mentioned smoothies, but another idea for vegetables is a good cream of [insert vegetable] soup. Like broccoli? Boil up a head of the greenest broccoli you can find, season like you would any soup, and pop it in the blender (after it’s cooled) with a little of the cooking water. Add cream if you like for extra substance — and that’s it. This freezes well, so you can simply defrost when you’re ready to eat during your recovery.
Get Those Grains
You’ll also want to make sure you’re getting the benefit of whole grains after your dental implant procedure. Cooked oatmeal is a no brainer — and adding ripe berries that will soften in the warm oatmeal can help you get even more nutrients. Brown rice is another great source of nutrients for a soft diet. Stay away from crunchy bread, granola, and other crispier grain items until you feel comfortable eating them.
About the Authors
The team at Piney Point Dental Implant Center is made up Dr. Steve L. Koo, Dr. Thomas M. Weil, and our entire caring, professional staff. If you are gearing up for a dental implant procedure, we’re here for you every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to contact your oral surgeon in Houston at (713) 597-7340.