Should You Avoid Dairy After a Dental Implant?

Is Having Dairy After a Dental Implant Safe?

Introduction

According to some studies, tooth loss may be because of genetics, lack of hygiene, injury or trauma, or lack of access to good dental care. Loss of teeth can cause health issues, including difficulty chewing, leading to impaired digestion and malnutrition.

A dental implant is an excellent way to replace these missing teeth with a long-lasting result and a better quality of life. Undergoing dental implant surgery is a step toward restoring confidence and oral health.

After a dental implant, it is essential to ensure that the bond between the implant and the jaw bone is successful. Some of the most common recommendations are to avoid some types of food and beverages during the healing period.

In this article, we will review what a dental implant is, which foods are recommended in the recovery period, which ones to avoid, and address the issue of having dairy after a dental implant.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implant surgery is a delicate and invasive procedure where the dentist drills into the jawbone to insert small threaded posts that are used to replace the roots of the missing teeth, almost always made from titanium but sometimes can be made from ceramic. After it has healed, the dentist can place a crown on top.

Other options apart from dental implants are crowns, bridges, or dentures. The selection of the method depends on desired goals and individual factors.

Can You Have Dairy After A Dental Implant?

Although dairy products are known to benefit the body and oral health because of their amount of calcium and vitamin D, some suggest that you should avoid dairy products after a dental implant. This practice was widespread in the past.

In this section, we revise some of the most common reasons that, although unsupported by scientific research, were believed to be the reasons for avoiding dairy after a dental implant.

Increased Risk of Infection

One reason for this suggestion is the increased risk of infection, although this concept doesn’t apply anymore due to the advent of pasteurized milk, and good dental hygiene should be enough to keep the mouth healthy.

Dairy Allergy or Sensitivity

Another reason is that some products, particularly milk, can cause an increase in mucus production, mainly in people with allergies or sensitivity to milk, and that this overproduction of mucus affects the healing of the implant. However, this is not supported by any scientific evidence, and studies haven’t found a difference in healing after a dental implant between people with more mucus production and people with normal mucus production.

Disruption of The Healing Process

Also, there is a theory that dairy products can disrupt the healing process of the jaw bone after the procedure because some components of dairy, like casein or lactose, can interfere with bone regrowth and leave an implant that is not sturdy enough. However, evidence recommends a balanced diet for optimal healing.

Interference With Antibiotic Action

Dairy interacts with antibiotics, like tetracyclines. However, none of the frequently used in dentistry are affected by dairy. You should check this issue with your dentist.

Disruption of Blood Clotting

Theoretically, milk can affect blood clotting because of a compound that inhibits this process. However, the number of components that form clots in the body is much higher than the inhibitors found in milk, therefore negligible.

In conclusion, drinking milk after a dental implant is safe and should be encouraged because:

• The calcium found in dairy products can help regrowth the bone that will attach the implant to the jaw bone.
• It is easy to eat after surgery due to its consistency and adds variety to the diet.
• There is insufficient evidence to support the claims against consuming dairy products after a dental implant.

What to Eat After A Dental Implant?

In the first 24 hours (after undergoing dental implant surgery, you can have some discomfort and pain):

• Nutritious liquid: Cold soups, sugar-free juices, smoothies or protein shakes, and lukewarm bone broth.
• Soft foods: Applesauce, Oatmeal, Greek yogurt, steamed veggies, soft bread, and pasta.
• Water.

After 24 hours and the next few months (the osseointegration will occur, and the dental implant will fuse with the jawbone, so it is vital to choose foods that are high in protein to help produce collagen)

• Eggs.
• Potatoes.
• Fish.
• Chicken.
• Ground beef.
• Soft fruits and vegetables.

What Not to Eat After A Dental Implant

To avoid damaging the dental implant to the jaw bone, you should avoid these particular types of foods:

• Hard or crunchy foods.
• Spicy foods.
• Acidic foods.
• Sticky foods.
• Hot foods and beverages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusions

In conclusion, dental implants are a valuable solution for replacing missing teeth and improving oral health and quality of life. However, during the recovery period following dental implant surgery, it is crucial to follow specific dietary guidelines to ensure successful implant integration and minimize potential complications.

There are some unsupported claims about avoiding dairy products after dental implants, like increased risk of infection, impaired blood clotting, interference with antibiotic action, and disruption of the healing process. However, none of these reasons have scientific evidence or have been proven to affect the results of a dental implant.

In summary, avoiding dairy products is not recommended after a dental implant and can be helpful for the regrowth of the jawbone. By following the recommended dietary guidelines and working closely with the dentist, individuals can achieve a healthy and functional smile with dental implants, ultimately improving their overall oral health and well-being.

See Also

Best Alternatives to Dental Implants

How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance?

Stem Cell Dental Implants Clinical Trials

Medicare Dental Implants Coverage

Dental Crown Cost Without Insurance

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. Dental Implants [Internet]. Cleveland: ClevelandClinic; Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/21/2022. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10903-dental-implants
2. Seyedi Moghaddam, S., Neff, A. Avoidance of milk and dairy products after oral surgery—is such a recommendation still valid? A cross-sectional study among German and international oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental practitioners with review of the literature. Oral Maxillofac Surg 26, 563–573 (2022). Avoidance of milk and dairy products after oral surgery—is such a recommendation still valid? A cross-sectional study among German and international oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental practitioners with review of the literature | SpringerLink