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Once dental implants have healed and the final teeth are in place, you can generally return to a broad, normal diet. Because implants are anchored in the jawbone, they provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth and can restore much of the function needed for everyday biting and chewing.
Dental Implants Are Designed for Everyday Eating
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a post placed in the jawbone. As the implant heals, it bonds with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration.
Once healing is complete, the implant provides a stable base for a crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration. Unlike a removable tooth replacement that rests on the gums, an implant-supported tooth is anchored in the jaw. This stability can make it easier to bite and chew comfortably.
Your final restoration also plays an important role. The crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture must fit properly and work with the rest of your bite so chewing forces are distributed appropriately.
What Can You Eat With Healed Dental Implants?
After your implants have fully healed and you have been cleared to return to a regular diet, you can typically eat many of the same foods you enjoyed before losing your teeth.
Depending on your restoration, this may include:
- Steak, chicken, and other proteins
- Raw and cooked vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Breads and grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Firmer foods that were difficult to chew with missing or unstable teeth
One of the greatest benefits of dental implants is the ability to enjoy a wide variety of foods without the limitations that can come with missing teeth or unstable dentures.
Foods to Be Careful With After Dental Implants
Dental implants are strong, but the teeth attached to them are not indestructible. An implant crown or other restoration can chip, loosen, or wear over time, just as dental work on a natural tooth can become damaged.
Once your implants have healed, you can enjoy a wide variety of foods. However, use caution with foods that are extremely hard, sticky, or difficult to bite through, including:
- Ice
- Hard candy
- Unpopped popcorn kernels
- Very hard nuts
- Sticky or chewy candy
- Hard pretzels or crackers
- Partially frozen foods
- Tough foods that require significant biting force
These foods can place unnecessary force on implant restorations as well as natural teeth. You do not necessarily need to avoid them completely, but changing how you eat them, such as cutting hard foods into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them, can help protect your restoration.
If you clench or grind your teeth, repeated force can also place stress on the restoration and implant components. We may recommend a night guard to help protect your teeth and implant restorations.
Dental Implant Consultation in Boulder
If missing teeth or unstable dentures are limiting what you can comfortably eat, dental implants may provide a more stable option for replacing them.
A consultation can help you understand whether dental implants are an option for you and what treatment would involve. To schedule an evaluation with one of our oral surgeons, call (303) 444-2255 or visit us at 1420 28th St, UNIT 100, Boulder, CO.
FAQs
Can you bite into an apple with dental implants?
Yes. Once your dental implants have fully healed and your final teeth are in place, you can bite into and chew apples normally. As with natural teeth, avoid using excessive force when biting into particularly hard foods.
Do dental implants feel different when chewing?
An implant-supported tooth can feel stable when you chew, but it does not have the same periodontal ligament that surrounds a natural tooth. Because of this difference, the sensation and pressure you feel when biting may not be exactly the same as with a natural tooth.
Can food get stuck around dental implants?
Food can collect around an implant crown or beneath some implant-supported bridges and full-arch restorations. Proper brushing and the cleaning methods recommended for your particular restoration help keep the surrounding gums healthy. Learn more about how to care for your dental implants and protect them long term.
Can you chew gum with dental implants?
Yes. Once your dental implants have healed, you can chew gum. We recommend choosing sugar-free gum with xylitol and avoiding very sticky gum that could place unnecessary stress on your implant restoration.
