Totally get what you're saying about crunchy foods. For me, it wasn't just nuts or chips—raw veggies were the sneaky culprits. I'd think I was fine, then bite into a carrot stick and bam, instant regret. But you're right, it does gradually improve. One thing I found helpful was chewing carefully on the opposite side for a while. Sounds obvious, but it really made a difference in avoiding those random jolts of pain. Hang tight, you'll be crunching away again before you know it.
Yeah, raw veggies were definitely a surprise for me too. I remember thinking cucumbers would be safe—soft enough, right? Nope... biting into one wrong was like an electric shock. Chewing carefully on the opposite side helped me too, but honestly, I still get nervous whenever I see a veggie tray at a party. You're doing great though, just keep taking it slow and you'll get there soon enough.
I totally get the veggie tray anxiety. For me, it wasn't cucumbers but carrots—thought I'd be brave and try one about two weeks after my implant was placed. Big mistake. I bit down just slightly wrong, and it felt like I'd bitten into a live wire. After that, I stuck to softer stuff for way longer than the dentist recommended, honestly. Mashed potatoes, soups, scrambled eggs... became my best friends for a good month or so.
Things did gradually improve, though. I found that cutting veggies into tiny pieces or steaming them lightly made a huge difference. Eventually, I could handle raw veggies again without flinching, but it took patience and a lot of cautious chewing. Everyone heals differently, so don't stress too much if your timeline doesn't match exactly what others say. Just listen to your body and take it slow.
Reading your experience is making me even more nervous about my upcoming implant. I've been obsessively googling recovery timelines, and honestly, the variety of experiences out there is overwhelming. Did you find certain foods or drinks unexpectedly irritating besides veggies? I'm already planning to live off smoothies and yogurt for weeks, but now I'm wondering if even those might cause issues...
Smoothies and yogurt are usually pretty safe bets, but watch out for anything too acidic—like citrus or pineapple. Ever tried sipping orange juice with a fresh extraction? Yeah...not fun. Stick to milder flavors at first, and you'll probably be fine.
