Looking forward to summer cookouts and BBQs with family and friends during the sun-filled months? Now that you’ve replaced your missing teeth with dental implants, you’ll likely want to indulge in all your favorite treats and meals. However, even with these long-lasting and durable tooth replacements, certain foods can still damage your new pearly whites if you aren’t careful. To avoid any problems, here are several tips for enjoying your summer meals with dental implants.
#1: Avoid Consuming Sugar Too Often
With the warmer weather sweeping in, you’re bound to want to enjoy tasty drinks and treats like sodas and popsicles. Although your dental implants won’t be affected by cavities or decay, it doesn’t mean your surrounding teeth and gums won’t be susceptible to issues. Since sugar can wreak havoc on your smile over time, you’ll want to moderate how frequently you consume these types of foods and beverages.
#2: Steer Clear of Hard & Crunchy Foods
Your dental implants will be durable enough to withstand the pressure of excessive chewing just like your normal teeth. At the same time, one wrong bite can also damage them like the rest of your smile. That’s why you’ll want to avoid munching on foods that are too hard or crunchy, such as popcorn, peanut brittle, and tough bread. Additionally, you’ll need to quit bad oral habits that can harm your new teeth, such as using them as tools or chewing on ice.
#3: Eat More Vitamin-Rich Meals
To make the most of your dental implants, it’s important to practice oral hygiene as well as promote healthier gums and bone tissue. For this reason, you should consider eating more nutritious and vitamin-rich foods to maintain good oral and overall health. These can include fruits, like bananas and peaches, as well as veggies, mashed potatoes, lean proteins, and dairy products. With these dietary choices, you can enjoy tasty meals while preserving healthy gums and jawbone tissue.
#4: Stick to Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Once you’ve finished enjoying your favorite summer meals, make sure to clean your mouth afterward, especially before going to bed. Leaving debris and food particles around your teeth and implants can leave your mouth vulnerable to bacteria, disease, and infection. Don’t forget to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash thoroughly to keep your smile fresh. This can help you maintain a healthy smile as well as avoid dental implant failure.
Summer is a time for fun and enjoying delicious meals with friends and family. As long as you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to preserve your newly rebuilt smile for the long run!
About the Author
Dr. Eric Buck has been delivering effective and personalized dental treatments for many years. He’s highly trained in various services and is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Columbus Dental Society, the Spear Education Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. If you’d like to know more about taking care of dental implants during summer and beyond, visit his website or call him at 740-725-8000.