Tooth loss can impact more than just your oral health. Your teeth are essential in your ability to smile, speak, and eat. Therefore, when you have gaps in your grin, you are more likely to have challenges enunciating certain words or chewing sufficiently.
Fortunately, your dentist can refurbish your grin with dental implants. These replacements are the only ones that are embedded into your jawbone for added strength and stability. Unlike alternatives like dental bridges and dentures, that means there are very few dietary restrictions.
Now that summer has arrived, there are plenty of delicious foods to look forward to! Continue reading to learn about 3 seasonal favorites you can enjoy with dental implants.
Food #1: Corn on the Cob
This time of year is perfect for firing up the grill and hosting a backyard barbecue. One popular item to include on the menu is corn on the cob. Sinking your teeth into the yellow kernels can be satisfying, but if you have a restoration, you need to be careful. Dentures and dental bridges are more likely to be dislodged when you try to gnaw the seeds off the cob.
Meanwhile, dental implants include a titanium rod that’s surgically placed into your jawbone. After a few months, they fuse together so your restoration is solidly anchored. You can enjoy an ear of corn without worrying about the potential embarrassment of having your artificial teeth fall out mid-meal.
Food #2: Steak
Many meats are tougher and can be difficult to chew, so those with certain prosthetics are warned to steer clear of them. For example, if you have dentures, they may slip out of place when you try to bite into a large piece of steak. It’s possible to cut it into smaller bits to enjoy, but many people tend to forgo this option altogether.
Thankfully, if you have dental implants, that’s less of a concern. You can count on your restoration to remain in place so that you can thoroughly pulverize everything from grilled chicken to juicy, seared steaks.
Food #3: Chips
Hard and crunchy foods like granola, nuts, and chips can be hard on prosthetics. If yours has an acrylic base, these snacks can abrade the material or push them out of place. Plus, carbs tend to mash up into sticky clumps that get stuck on your dentures or dental bridge. You might not be able to get rid of the substance until you get home and can remove your artificial teeth to clean them thoroughly.
Although you may want to stay away from these treats while your dental implants are healing, once the titanium rod has merged with your jaw, then you can enjoy them more freely. When you do, you’ll have a much easier time cleansing your mouth afterward because all that’s required is brushing and flossing like usual.
If your favorite food didn’t make this list, don’t worry! There are so few restrictions with dental implants that you can enjoy a well-rounded diet knowing you’re not likely to do any harm.
About the Practice
At Generations Dental Care, a team of highly skilled dentists offers a full range of services under one roof to meet all your dental needs. For over 100 years, the practice has been helping families in Concord build strong, beautiful smiles. They’ve been voted “Best of NH” eight times in the NH Magazine and take pride in providing unparalleled service. They take the time to get to know you and build fully individualized treatment plans to enhance your oral well-being. With state-of-the-art technology onsite, they can perform the surgical component of dental implants in the office, so you don’t have to find an outside provider. If you’re interested in replacing your missing tooth and want a consultation, you can contact the office on the website or call (603) 225-6331.