What to Eat After Getting Dental Implants: A Recovery Guide

So, you’ve just got dental implants? Or are you considered getting a single tooth implant? We’re going to give you all you need to know about eating after getting dental implants.

First, a little about Dental Concepts, we’re a leading dental provider in Hampshire and Dorset with 4 dental practices and a team of over 40 people! We specialise in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, with our implant specialist Dr Manish Chitnis conducting hundreds of cases. After having helped many patients to smile again after having dental implants we’re the perfect people to tell you the do’s and don’ts of aftercare, whether you’re opting for a dental implant, Hampshire or for multiple dental implants.

Immediately After

Immediately after, whether you had a single tooth implant or multiple, you will need to wait for your anaesthetic to wear off before eating anything. It can be tricky to eat whilst still having the effects of local anaesthetics and many people end up biting their tongue or cheek in the process. It’s also important to remember to avoid hot drinks as you will not be able to sense the temperature of what you’re consuming.

After Surgery (First 24–48 Hours)

Right after your dental implant procedure, your mouth will be tender and the surgical site needs time to heal. During this critical window, go for cool or room-temperature soft foods that require minimal chewing. Think yoghurt, smoothies (without a straw), mashed potatoes, soup (not too hot), applesauce, and protein shakes. Avoid anything hot, spicy, crunchy, or acidic, as these can irritate the gums or dislodge the clot that's forming. Also skip alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drinks, these can all disrupt healing.

Pro tip: Eat on the opposite side of your mouth if possible, and rinse gently with saltwater if advised by your dentist.

The Next Few Days to 2 Weeks

As your mouth begins to heal, you can start adding soft, nutritious foods to help your body recover. Scrambled eggs, soft pasta, mashed vegetables, ripe bananas, oatmeal, and soft-cooked fish like salmon are all great options. These foods are easy to chew and packed with nutrients that support tissue healing. Remember the better your diet, the better the chance of quick and efficient healing.

Still, avoid hard or chewy foods like raw vegetables, nuts, steak, crusty bread, and anything with seeds that could get lodged near the implant site. Continue to chew on the opposite side of your mouth and follow your dentist’s advice on when to resume brushing near the area.

Once you speak to your dentist and they’re happy with your healing progress they will let you know when you can begin eating more normally, however, typically within 2 weeks you can begin to resume back to normal. Remember we all heal differently, and this can be especially true for those with conditions that can delay healing. Listening to your body, your dentist and the signs are essential. Following the advice of your dentist and their aftercare regime is essential. Not only will it speed up your recovery but also prevent any complications.

Here at Dental Concepts, we’ve helped hundreds of patients to smile with confidence after a single tooth implant, multiple dental implants or full mouth dental implants, and we can help you do the same too! We’re the right team for you if you’re looking for a dental implants Hampshire and Dorset are where our 4 practices are located and we’re proud to serve over 20,000 patients in this area.

If you’d like to find out more about having dental implants, give our friendly and experienced team a call today! 01264 313999