Dental implants have changed the way we approach tooth replacement; these innovative titanium posts can serve as excellent, long-term solutions for patients with missing teeth, all thanks to their placement method directly into the jawbone. However, did you know that a patient’s diet can actually play a significant part in their longevity? Here’s more about how diet and nutrition can influence dental implant integrity, along with a few smart food options that’ll set your implants up for resounding long-term success.
How Does My Diet Influence My Dental Implants?
Much like how eating nutritious foods keeps our waistlines slim and our hearts healthy, sticking to a sensible diet can also greatly benefit our oral health and result in far fewer dental issues, including those that threaten dental implants. After you’ve received dental implants, the posts will require a few months to heal up and fuse with your jawbone. This process, called osseointegration, is the single most important factor that contributes to dental implant success, and patients should always prioritize the accommodation of this process. One surefire way of doing this, believe it or not, is eating a healthy diet!
Certain foods, such as those with excessive amounts of sugar or starch, can create a plethora of oral bacteria that threaten the gum tissue hosting your implants. Other items that are hard to bite or chew can also be troublesome, since they’ll disrupt the position of the implant posts or even damage the restorations on top.
What Can I Eat to Benefit My Dental Implants?
A well-balanced diet that is rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals can help you maintain excellent bone health and density, which reduces your overall risk of implant failure and also boosts the longevity of your implants. Here are some foods that serve as a great source of calcium and vitamin D:
- Fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Leafy greens like spinach, chard, kale, and collard greens
- Fortified breakfast cereals and orange juices
Similarly, it’s also wise to consume foods that boost your body’s immune system, thereby lowering your risk of oral infections. Consider options such as:
- Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons
- Berries such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries
- Garlic and onions
- Ginger and turmeric
- Nuts and seeds like almonds and sunflower seeds
- Green tea
Adequate hydration is also essential for good oral health and can prevent dry mouth, so be sure you’re drinking plenty of water to keep your saliva flowing!
What Else Should I Keep in Mind Concerning My Dental Implants?
While a healthy diet is crucial, it’s also worthwhile to practice excellent oral hygiene, visit your dentist regularly, and avoid bad oral habits; just because they replace your teeth does not mean they’re exempt from all the dangers that threaten your natural pearly whites. Finally, it’s also worth noting that as your dental implant posts heal and fuse with your jaw, it’s imperative to stick to softer foods that won’t disrupt your recovery period. However, once things have healed up, virtually nothing is left off the menu—but you should still make healthy, sensible choices!
A healthy diet isn’t just a choice; it’s an investment in your oral health, which now includes the integrity and well-being of your dental implants! By incorporating a well-balanced, nutritious diet into your lifestyle, you’re significantly enhancing the longevity of your new smile!
About the Practice
Our talented team here at Pinnacle Dental has proudly served patients and families in the Braintree, MA community for several years, offering a wide range of services including top-of-the-line tooth restorations like dental implants. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up an appointment for you or someone you know, feel free to visit us online or give us a call today for further information or assistance. Telephone: (781) 412-1412.