After undergoing All-On-4 surgery, you may be thinking you can quickly jump back into eating the foods you love. Unfortunately, you’ll need to wait a short while before you can let your taste buds run wild. The reason is that your gums and bone will need to heal, and you’re likely to experience some soreness and discomfort in the days and weeks after your procedure. To ensure successful healing, read on to learn which foods and beverages you can freely consume while you recover at home.
Common Side Effects After Implant Surgery
Once your implant dentist completes the surgical portion of your treatment, you can expect there to be some minor soreness that can be remedied with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medication (if provided). Also, you might have slight swelling that can last up to one week as well as some on and off bleeding. Not to mention, a sore throat and jaw discomfort are normal. As a result, you’ll need to take it easy when it comes to eating or drinking.
The Typical Recovery Timeline Diet
The types of food you consume can help or hinder your recovery process, so you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the right items to avoid any potential complications. Included is a timeline of how your diet should progress after undergoing All-On-4 surgery:
- 1-2 Weeks: All liquid diet that consists of cool or lukewarm foods and beverages. Hot liquids can irritate your surgical sites, so it’s best to hold off for a few days before attempting to consume anything spicy. You must also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and ensure proper healing. Some appropriate liquids you can consume include broth, coconut water, fruit juice, cream-based soup, pureed vegetable soup, hot cocoa, yogurt drinks, milk, pudding, custard, smoothies, and even popsicles.
- 2 Weeks to 3 Months: Soft foods will become more enjoyable as your discomfort ceases. During this time, your implants will begin to fuse with the bone, so it’s imperative you are mindful about what you’re eating to prevent any possible implant failure. Avoiding hard, crunchy, or chewy foods are essential. Instead, it is best if you opt for those foods that require less chewing to avoid irritating your surgical sites. Some of the best foods you can consume during this timeframe include mashed potatoes, soft fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, soft breads, cooked pasta, eggs, hummus, cheese, and chili.
Once your implant dentist declares your All-On-4 recovery is complete, you can resume a normal diet that allows you to enjoy all your favorite foods. As you prepare for your procedure, however, make sure your refrigerator is properly stocked so you can ensure a swift and successful at-home recovery.
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana at TrueCare Dentistry understands what it means to provide world-class care. Offering All-On-4 implants to patients suffering from tooth loss, Dr. Rana and his team will provide detailed instructions regarding the recovery process and what foods and beverages should and should not be consumed during this time. If you’re preparing for implant surgery and need a list of approved meal items, visit our website or call (469) 399-7288.