Dig In! Summer Foods to Enjoy with Dental Implants

For many people, summer is the best time for barbequing. The sunny days create the ideal conditions for gathering with friends, family, and neighbors around the grill in the backyard, but many traditional summer foods are hard to chew for people who have lost teeth or who wear traditional dental restorations like bridges or dentures. Thankfully, dental implants can handle all the foods that real teeth can. Here’s a brief list of foods you can look forward to after your implants have healed.

It’s Time for Steak

For many people, all other foods exist for the sole purpose of tiding them over until the next time they eat steak. However, since these cuts of meat are quite meaty, tough, and fibrous, it can be extremely difficult to chew them thoroughly if you are missing teeth or wearing dentures or a dental bridge. Thankfully, dental implants provide superior cutting and shredding force since they are surgically placed in and naturally fused with the structure of the jawbone. This means that you won’t have any problems tearing into a ribeye or sirloin.

Meat on the Bone

Many diners believe that eating meat off the bone is one of life’s exquisite pleasures. However, accidentally biting into a bone in a rib or chicken leg can cause damage to a denture or dental bridge, and these restorations often lack the leverage necessary to pull the meat away. Dental implants, on the other hand, deliver the power you need to enjoy these items. Just remember that it’s still important to avoid biting directly into a bone.

Corn on the Cob

If you wear dentures or dental bridges, corn on a cob presents a special set of challenges. While this sweet, smoky treat is a staple of summer cookouts, having to bite it directly off the cob can be quite difficult for people who wear traditional restorations, and the kernels may get stuck beneath these appliances where they can feed the oral bacteria that cause infections like gum disease and tooth decay. Dental implants can make short work out of corn on the cob, meaning that you can enjoy this summer favorite without fear.

With dental implants, the summer cookout is your oyster. Consulting with your dentist can help you decide if these prosthetic appliances are a good fit for you.

About the Author

Dr. Aaron Springhetti earned his dental doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and has received extensive advanced training in oral surgery. He regularly completes continuing education courses through organizations like the Dawson Academy. His office in Carmel, IN, offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry, as well as dental implant services. To book a dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (317) 875-7645.