Barbeques are supposed to be a summertime blast, and that smokey charcoal smell can get your mouth watering much more than a dinner bell. Sadly, backyard cookouts can be a drag if you can’t chew certain foods. The good news is that dental implants can restore your chewing ability because they work like real teeth. Here are some classic summertime foods you can eat with dental implants along with some special considerations for the feast.
Raise the Steaks
Many people will tell you that all other food exists only to tide them over until the next time they eat steak. Part of the pleasure of this delicacy is its exquisite texture. Unfortunately, missing teeth can make chewing such a fine cut of meat difficult to impossible.
Dental implants can bring your chewing ability back up to base level, giving you the means to savor all the juices and flavor of a good ribeye or sirloin. After recovery from the procedure, the implants will be fused to the jawbone, resulting in a sturdy hold that allows the attached crown to function just like a real tooth. So, if you’re worrying about whether you can have a steak off the grill, don’t have a cow. Just eat one!
Fear Eating Corn No More
Grilled corn-on-the-cob is a smokey, sweet, delicious summer treat that goes well with butter, spices, and basically anything else you could possibly want, but it can be a challenge for those with missing teeth. While dental implants can handle corn with no problem, eating it off the cob can get kernels stuck in your teeth. It’s better to cut the corn away from the cob and eat it off the plate.
You’re Going to the Cookout? Hot Dog!
Many people have a nostalgic fondness for grilled hot dogs. While they are a tried-and-true summertime favorite, hot dogs are also chock full of processed saturated fat which can lead to gum disease if consumed in excess. This doesn’t mean you can never indulge in a plump frankfurter in a poppyseed bun with mustard and relish. With dental implants, there’s nothing wrong with having a hot dog with your buddies once in a while!
Put a Stop to Some of the Pop
We all know that the cooler at the barbeque is going to be full of colas and lemon-lime sodas, but these beverages are full of acid and refined sugar that can lead to gum disease. This doesn’t mean that these fizzy, syrupy treats are completely off-limits. You can have one occasionally, just be sure to drink and swish some water afterward to help clear some of the sugary residue from your teeth! Be careful of barbeque sauce too, because it can contain as much or more sugar than soda.
Because they look and work just like natural teeth, dental implants set you up for a delicious summer alongside a lifetime with a beautiful smile. So fire up that grill, put on your apron, and crank up some tunes, because the hotter months are made for good food with good friends on a sunny day.
About the Dentist
Dr. Edward J. Dooley earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He has served as a Navy dental officer and is a certified provider of both ClearCorrect and Invisalign. His practice provides services such as general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implants. If you’re curious about getting dental implants before the next grilling season, contact him online or dial (732) 974-2288.
