There may be times when your dentist will ask you not to eat, drink, etc. after an appointment including when you get dental surgery. There are also several other important things to know about getting dental work done and the process afterwards. Your questions regarding what to expect after getting dental work done will be answered in the body of this article.

What (and When) is Okay to Eat After a Dental Procedure?

For those of you who have been to the dentist before (hopefully the majority), you have most likely been told after a cleaning that you shouldn’t eat or drink anything for half an hour to an hour after your appointment. With a cleaning, dentists ask that you not eat anything after your appointment because the dentist will often use a flouride rinse or paste on your teeth that will protect and strengthen your enamel and will need time to set onto your teeth. 

Eating after a dental surgery becomes more complicated. There are several different dental procedures that could require a delay of eating certain foods or food in general. It is also a good idea to avoid straws with any drinks that you consume. 

Foods to avoid after getting dental work are as follows:

• Crunchy foods such as chips and nuts.
• Hot or caffeinated drinks
• Spicy foods
• Chewy foods like beef jerky
• Alcohol
• Hard foods such as apples or carrots

With dental implants or removing a tooth, stick to soft, mild foods for 24 to 72 hours depending on your dentist’s recommendation. It is also advisable to avoid chewing in the extraction/implant zone for a few weeks after the surgery. For bone grafting procedures, it will similarly take a few days to be able to eat anything but soft foods and liquids. It is especially important on the first day to drink a lot of water or juice and to avoid citrus juices. 

The best foods to stick to after getting dental work done include:

• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Eggs
• Soup (make sure it is not extremely hot and doesn’t have any chewy ingredients)
• Mashed potatoes
• Pudding
• Smoothies (be sure it does not have any seeds or skin that could get stuck in the surgery area)

There are many other ideas for soft foods that can work well for after dental surgery; make sure to ask your dentist and do your research.

What is the Recovery Process After Getting Dental Work Done?

Each person’s individual recovery process after getting dental work done is different. However, there are similarities to every story. For most dental surgeries, it is best to take it easy for a couple weeks and avoid vigorous physical activity. After getting a dental implant, you will likely feel normal again but it can take several months before the implant will be completely bonded to your teeth. 

The recovery process also varies for dental implants depending on whether your teeth require bone grafting to put in the implant. Bone grafting is typically needed when the removal of a tooth requires cutting into the jaw bone and you should feel normal a few weeks after the appointment but it can take up to 3 months for a full recovery. 

As far as the pain that a patient will feel after getting dental work done, it will usually be most difficult for the first 72 hours, but during the surgery the mouth will be numbed. Bleeding, swelling and bruising is common for dental implants. The discomfort should decrease dramatically after 3 days. If there is excessive pain after this time period or extra inflammation in the following 6 months, contact your dentist. Taking pain medication is advisable with the authorization of your dentist and doctor. Rest is important and ice is okay to administer on the first day after the procedure. 

Helping You Learn What to Expect After Getting Dental Work Done

At Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants, we are here for you before, during and after the dental work process. We want to help you get the best education about the dental surgery process. You can schedule a virtual consultation with us today to get answers to any more questions you have about the post dental surgery process, to schedule an appointment, or to learn more about our other services. Contact us today!