Enjoy All Your Favorite Summertime Foods with Dental Implants

Summer is finally here! Get ready for warmer weather, poolside shenanigans, and plenty of backyard cookouts with your family and friends! But as you kick off your summertime fun, you might be wondering about how your new dental implants will affect your diet. Will you still be able to enjoy all your favorite summer foods and snacks with your implants, or will you be forced to refrain from indulgence? Keep reading to learn more about how dental implants can influence your summertime diet, along with some tips for ensuring that your implants last.

How Do Dental Implants Influence My Diet?

Dental implants are in a class of their own when it comes to replacing missing teeth. While other treatment options, like dentures, simply rest on your teeth, dental implants are surgically inserted into your jaw and fuse with your bone!

This process can take a few months, but once the surgical sites are fully healed, the foundation is just as sturdy as the roots of your natural teeth. This means that your biting force and chewing power are almost completely restored to normal levels, and you also don’t have to worry about your teeth slipping around or falling out of your mouth! That said, dental implants can replace missing teeth and restore functionality to your jaw, without inhibiting your ability to talk or eat whatsoever!

Can I Still Enjoy My Favorite Summertime Foods with Implants?

Because of the restoration in chewing power that dental implants provide, many classic summertime staples remain on the table, including:

• Steaks, kabobs, and other grilled meats (though hot dogs should be avoided as they’re high in saturated fats that can cause gum inflammation).
• Fresh fruits including apples, pears, peaches, watermelons, berries and more.
• Corn on the cob (though be mindful of kernels becoming lodged between your teeth)
• Cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash and other crisp vegetables.

Be mindful of items that are high in sugars and syrups. Sweet drinks like sodas and lemonade, along with frozen treats like popsicles and sno-cones can still increase the risk of tooth decay if you don’t enjoy them moderately.

How Can I Ensure That My Implants Last?

Even though your implants are durable, they aren’t invincible; however, with proper care they can last for decades! Keep these things in mind to ensure that your implants last:

• Avoid biting into hard objects that could potentially fracture your implants, including ice cubes, caramel apples, peanut brittle and more. Sticky and chewy foods can also be problematic.
• Brush your implants every single day—they can still become dirty and tarnished and contribute to oral health problems.
• Visit your dentist regularly for checkups, cleanings, and necessary maintenance.

Dental implants are absolutely life-changing; and better yet, they won’t prevent you from enjoying your favorite summertime snacks if you’re careful and diligent about taking care of them!

About the Practice

The Dental Smile Center proudly serves patients and families in the Van Nuys area under the leadership of Dr. Idan Snapir! Dr. Snapir completed his dental doctorate at UCLA and has over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of fields, including dental implants! If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a visit with Dr. Snapir, feel free to contact his practice online or by phone: (818) 528-8846.