What Kinds of Summer Foods Can You Eat with Dental Implants?

Summer is a time for grilled steak, cold treats, and other kinds of tasty foods. But if this is your first summer with dental implants, you’re probably wondering whether you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorites or if there are some foods you’ll need to stay away from. Fortunately, your dentist in Kansas City can give you a good idea of what summer foods you’ll be able to eat with dental implants.

What Can You Eat with Dental Implants?

The short answer is: virtually anything you want! Once dental implants have completely fused with your jawbone and have had a restoration such as a crown attached to them, they’ll have enough chewing power to handle almost any kind of food. That means you can continue to enjoy all your favorite summer staples, such as grilled steaks that might be tough to chew with traditional dentures.

That said, there are certain foods that you’ll want to be careful around. For example, eating corn on the cob can cause the kernels to become stuck between your teeth and implants. It’s safer to remove the cob and eat the kernels with a fork. You also need to be careful around hot dogs, which have high amounts of saturated fat that can potentially lead to gum disease. It’s okay to have a hot dog every once in a while, but try not to overindulge so you don’t put your implants in danger.

Tips for Eating with Dental Implants

While dental implants do allow you to have a full diet again, it’s important to remember that certain foods can still damage your new teeth. If you want to protect your smile, keep the following tips in mind while you’re planning your summer meals:

• Stay away from anything hard that can break teeth and implant restorations. This includes ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, and nuts.
• Be aware of how often you consume sugar. The more frequently your mouth is exposed to sugar, the higher your risk of gum disease and other implant-threatening oral health issues.
• Try to be careful around anything sticky that could pull on your implant restorations.
• Keep the area around your dental implants clean. That means brushing and flossing at least two times a day. It may also be a good idea to drink some water after every meal to rinse out your mouth and remove food particles that might be lingering around the implant posts.

With the right precautions, you can look forward to a summer filled with tasty treats that you can eat without worrying thanks to your dental implants. If you still have questions about planning your diet with implants, call your dentist today.

About the Author

Dr. Michael C. Byars achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He has also completed The Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency, which focused on advanced restorative care and implant dentistry. Thanks to his training, he can perform the entire dental implant process in-house. To schedule an implant consultation with him at his Kansas City practice, visit his website or call (816) 781-8222.