What To Eat With Temporary Teeth: Soft Food Diet

Many 3 on 6™ patients have their dental implants immediately loaded after surgery. This means teeth are placed on the implants on the day of surgery, instead of waiting for the implants to heal first.

Immediately loading the implants with teeth provides long-term benefits for the healing of the implants. This method can also provide aesthetic benefits such as allowing the gum line to heal to the teeth, creating a natural looking smile.

Why A Soft Food Diet?

Since the implants aren’t fully healed into the bone during the first few months after surgery, it is important that only soft foods are eaten during this time to allow the implants to osseointegrate into the bone. It’s also important to have a healthy diet with enough protein to facilitate healing.

Generally speaking, soft foods are foods that could be consumed without chewing. If it’s a food that would break apart by pushing it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue, then it’s probably soft enough.

Satisfying and Delicious Options

For many people, the prospect of being on a soft food diet, even for a short period of time, can feel daunting. Eating foods we love can be a joy while recovering from surgery. Though your options may be limited for a short period, don't fret, there are still plenty of options that will have you smiling with satisfaction.

Here are a few of the favorite soft foods recommended by our patients:

• Smoothies and shakes

• Soups

• Mashed potatoes

• Oatmeal or other warm cereals

• Soft, ripe fruits like bananas or peaches (without skin)

• Steamed vegetables

• Pasta

• Applesauce

• Pancakes

• Gelatin

• Pudding or custard

• Soft bread without seeds, nuts, or whole grains

The following are some soft foods that offer high protein:

• Eggs

• Avocado

• Yogurt or kefir

• Smooth peanut butter or other nut butters

• Egg salad

• Tuna or salmon

• Cottage cheese

• Ricotta cheese (with a drizzle of honey or fruit)

• Meatloaf

• Refried beans or bean-based soups

• Hummus

• Ground turkey or chicken (cooked very soft or blended into soups)

• Protein shakes

If you have any questions about your diet after surgery, contact your physician’s office. You can also visit our 3 on 6™ Community on facebook and get food advice from patients who have already been through this.