Why NO DAIRY after implant treatments is a key to faster healing!
Implant surgery is not a new procedure in the dental industry. it is considered as one of the most permanent and reliable dental treatments. Even patients have started accepting it very frequently.
Though hundreds of articles have been published about the indications, care, and prognosis of implants, very little has been spoken about the immediate aftercare of implants post-surgery. Your mouth is the gate to foreign bodies and bacteria; therefore, it is very important to take utmost care after implant surgery. The main care is the food you eat during the first week of recovery.
If you have gone through implant surgery recently, you must have noticed that your dentist has told you to avoid the dairy products altogether for the first few days' post-surgery. This is a little bit off to hear because usually we consider milk as a bigger chunk of protein in our diet and consume it on a regular basis for quick energy.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons, myths, truths, and science behind the fact that why dairy products are told to be avoided post-implant surgery.
Implant surgery: A glance
Implants are screw-type materials that have two parts, a screw that is placed within the jaw and another part is the abutment, which is attached to a screw and acts as a support to the artificial crown.
Implant surgery is one of the major invasive surgeries of the oral cavity that needs attention and care. The oral cavity is the hub of lots of moisture, therefore it gets difficult to maintain hygiene and a bacteria-free environment. This is one of major reasons why dentists pressure patients to follow strict diet instructions.
Some of the recommended foods after implant surgery
Soft and easily chewable food
It is very important to follow diet restrictions post-implant surgery because your oral cavity is the main organ where foods interact the most and it's functioning also depends on the food we eat.
A soft diet is recommended because it is easy to chew and swallow without causing stress and burden to the surgical site while at the same time providing the necessary nutrients to the body. Soft food also gets dissolved in the oral cavity easily thus, there is hardly any chance of getting stuck at the surgical site.
Some of the soft foods that can be consumed are mashed potatoes, eggs, porridge, smoothies, cooked, soft vegetables etc.
However, there are so many theories about the consumption of dairy products after implant surgery. Let's explore all the aspects of this common belief.
No dairy after implant surgery, Myth or truth
There has been no research on this topic but, there is common scientific reasoning behind the restriction of dairy products avoidance post-surgery.
Some of these reasons are:
Increased mucus:
It's been observed that dairy products increase mucus production in the oral cavity. This mucus is a very good medium for the bacteria to survive and grow. The newly incised area makes a wonderful home for such mucus and bacteria which may cause infection and post-operative concerns.
Inflammation Triggering Factor:
Dairy products are known to irritate the gums and surgical area. This irritation can cause swelling and discomfort. Thus, it is better to avoid dairy products just after surgery.
GIT concerns:
Dairy products are not that easy to digest. and cause increased acid production in the stomach. Dairy consumption is one of the major causes of nausea, vomiting and acid reflux. Lactose intolerant people can also suffer serious after effects of consuming dairy.
This acid reflux and stomach upset may cause delayed healing of the implant surgery.
Interactions with Medicines:
There have been many examples where the antibiotic you are prescribed may not go well with dairy products. These interactions can cause mild to severe allergies and side effects. So always ask your dentist about the nature of your medicine before blindly consuming dairy.
Be Mindful
Since it is not compulsory to avoid dairy after implant surgery. It depends upon your choice and acceptance of the dairy items that can influence the healing after the surgery.
Here are some points that should be kept in mind
- It's better to avoid very chewy items like cheese and cottage cheese to avoid stress in the surgical area.
- Avoid cold yoghurt that may irritate the surgical linings
- Avoid milk if it causes severe acidity
How long should the patient wait before consuming dairy?
The first week is very important for healing after any surgery. Implant surgery is no different.
So, once the implant site is healed within a week, you can start to have dairy in your diet.
However, it will take around a few weeks to a month to start your regular diet because the site is still under healing process and injury, or irritation can cause its delay.
What can you eat instead of dairy?
It's essential to meet the nutrient requirements of your body. If you are skipping dairy products, then you are already missing a good amount of your daily nutrition. Some of the good alternatives are:
- Nondairy milk like almond, soy or oat milk
- Avocados
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft fruits like bananas
- soups
Some frequently asked Questions
Is yoghurt recommended after surgery?
It's better to avoid yoghurt for 48 hours, as it increases the risk of infection.
What happens if I consume dairy accidentally?
A small amount of dairy would not cause any major harm to your surgical site. So, if you have dairy products by mistake, you can relax.
Why did my dentist not recommend me to have dairy?
Some dentists may allow you to have low irritation causing dairy in small amounts and thus they do not advise to totally cut down on dairy. However, some dentists might like to avoid the chances of infection altogether.
It depends on your dentist's perception and thus it's always better to listen to your dentist.
It may seem very difficult to cut down on your favourite milk beverage or that ice cream but consider it to be a small sacrifice for long-term surgical success.
Stick to what your dentist has advised and focus on mindful eating
Implants are going to be your lifetime friends, and no one wants to start the journey with unwanted complications and delays.