There are lots of reasons to eat a nutritious diet. Doing so can give you more energy, support your muscles, be great for your heart health, and aid in weight management. It can even support your dental implants! While there is no need to be overly strict in your eating habits, making balanced choices is important. In this blog post, you will learn some key facts about how a healthy diet can promote the health of your prosthetic teeth.
Foods That Support Your Bone Health
Your dental implants rely on your jawbone to stay secure, so you need to support your bones with the right nutrients. Calcium and vitamin D are especially important, as they help your body build and maintain sturdy bones. Incorporate the following foods into your diet to give your jawbone what it needs to stay healthy and strong:
- Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, and collard greens
- Fatty fish, including salmon, sardines, and mackerel
- Fortified plant-based milks and juices
- Tofu and other calcium-set soy products
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms
Foods that Promote a Healthy Immune System
A robust immune system helps your body fight off infections and heal faster after dental implant placement. Here are some nutrients and foods that can support a healthy immune response:
- Vitamin C: Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes), red bell peppers, berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries), kiwi, pineapple, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
- Vitamin A: Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, egg yolks, red bell peppers
- Vitamin E: Almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, avocado
- Zinc: Lean meats, eggs, legumes, pumpkin seeds, cashews, whole grains, shellfish
- Antioxidants: Berries, spinach, kale, dark chocolate, pecans, artichokes, garlic, green tea
Eating a variety of these foods helps your immune system stay strong and keeps your gums and mouth tissues in top condition.
Avoiding Foods that Pose a Threat
Dental implants are strong enough to stand up to any food, but moderation is still important. You can feel free to eat your favorite treats, even if they are not particularly nutritious. However, you should limit your consumption and keep in mind that overindulging might pose a threat to your dental implants.
For example, you should avoid extremely hard foods that might break one of your restorations. It is also wise to limit your sugar intake, since sugar encourages the production of harmful plaque and bacteria.
Your body’s health directly affects the health of your dental implants, so do your best to eat lots of nutrient-rich foods that will help you stay well from head-to-toe!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Publio Silfa is a highly experienced dentist who performs start-to-finish dental implant treatment in our Commack, NY, office. Our team is also happy to help patients adopt good habits that support their oral health and the health of their prosthetic teeth. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our practice at 631-651-1322.
