I’ve been sticking to soups and yogurt mostly, partly because I’m nervous about messing up the stitches and partly because I don’t want to risk needing another visit (and bill).
Totally get the “avoiding another bill” part—my wallet still hasn’t forgiven me for round one. For me, anything with little seeds (like strawberries) made things feel way worse and got stuck, which was both annoying and kind of gross. Coffee didn’t hurt, but spicy stuff was a no-go... felt like pouring hot sauce on a paper cut. I think discomfort is normal, but if something actually stings or gets caught, it’s probably worth skipping.
“I’ve been sticking to soups and yogurt mostly, partly because I’m nervous about messing up the stitches and partly because I don’t want to risk needing another visit (and bill).”
Honestly, you’re being smart. I remember after my last implant, I was overly cautious too—better safe than sorry. It’s a hassle, but that extra care pays off. The discomfort does ease up, just takes patience.
I get where you’re coming from—this stuff is nerve-wracking. I’m in the middle of my first implant recovery and honestly, I’m probably being even more paranoid than most. I read somewhere that even tiny food bits can get stuck and cause issues, so I’ve been rinsing like crazy after every meal. My dentist said soft foods for a week, but I’m stretching that out... no way am I risking another bill or more pain. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather be too careful than end up back in the chair.
I totally get the urge to be extra careful—I'm in the same boat right now. The idea of food getting stuck freaks me out, so I’ve been rinsing a lot too, probably more than necessary. My dentist told me soft foods for a week as well, but honestly, I’m not even looking at anything remotely crunchy yet. It’s just not worth the risk.
That said, I did ask my dentist if I was overdoing it with the rinsing, and she mentioned not to go too wild because it could actually irritate the stitches if I’m super aggressive. Gentle swishing is apparently fine, but I was practically power-washing my mouth at first... not the best idea.
It’s so stressful worrying about messing something up and ending up with more pain or another big bill. I don’t think you’re overreacting at all—better safe than sorry, right? But maybe just double-check with your dentist about how much rinsing is too much. I wish I’d asked sooner, honestly.
That urge to go overboard with rinsing is so common—I see it all the time, and honestly, it’s tough not to want to keep everything spotless after surgery. But you’re right, too much aggressive rinsing can really bother those stitches. I usually tell people gentle swishing with saltwater is enough, especially in the first few days. It’s wild how even a little too much pressure can make things feel worse or delay healing. I’ve also noticed that sticking with soft foods longer than recommended isn’t a bad thing at all... everyone heals at their own pace, and there’s no gold star for rushing back to crunchy stuff.
