One of the most remarkable aspects of the All-on-4 dental implant procedure is that it allows patients to get a beautiful new set of teeth on the same day as their implant surgery. But does that mean you can use those new teeth to dig into your favorite foods right away? No. You will need to go through a recovery period before you can resume your normal diet. This blog post explains what you can eat in the weeks and months following All-on-4 surgery.
What to Eat Immediately after Surgery
After your surgery, you may remain under the influence of anesthesia or sedation for several hours. It is fine to drink liquids during this time. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
- You should not drink anything hot until your anesthesia wears off. Otherwise, you might accidentally burn yourself.
- Even though it may seem easier on your sore jaw to use a straw, you should not do so. The suction action could interfere with the formation of blood clots at your surgical sites.
The First Two Weeks of Recovery
During the first two weeks or so of your recovery, you can expect some soreness, swelling, and tenderness in your mouth. The first couple of days, in particular, may be uncomfortable. During this time period, you should stick to a liquid diet. Here are some examples of what you may choose to drink during this time:
- Water (It is important to stay hydrated!)
- Coffee
- Tea
- Smoothies (without seeds or other small bits)
- Meal replacement shakes, such as Ensure
- Protein shakes
- Milkshakes
- Broth
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Ice cream (without hard add-ins)
- Milk
After the First Few Weeks
Once most of the swelling and tenderness have subsided, you can expand your diet to fork-tender foods. That is to say, you can consume anything that is easy to cut with the side of a fork. Here are some examples of acceptable foods:
- Soft breads
- Mashed veggies (cauliflower, avocados, potatoes, etc.)
- Oatmeal
- Meatloaf
- Eggs
- Soft tofu
- Pasta
During this period, you may also enjoy small amounts of alcohol, as long as you have stopped taking any pain medication that might interact with the alcohol.
When Can You Resume a Normal Diet?
After your mouth has healed from your surgery, which usually takes about 3 – 6 months, you will receive a permanent prosthetic to replace the one that you received immediately after your procedure. Once you get used to the way it feels in your mouth, you can start adding tougher, chewier foods back into your diet. However, you should make dietary changes gradually; because you will not have done a lot of chewing in recent times, some foods may cause jaw soreness when you consume them.
During All-on-4 recovery, you will have to make some significant changes to your eating habits. However, when your beautiful new smile is in place, any inconvenience you faced during your treatment will seem like a minor sacrifice.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erin Page is experienced implant dentists in Schenectady. She is proud to offer All-on-4/All-on-6 treatment to patients who have suffered extensive tooth loss. To request an appointment or learn more about what you can expect from dental implant treatment, contact our office at 518-374-0317.