One of the great things about All-on-4 treatment is that you can get a beautiful set of temporary teeth on the same day that you undergo dental implant surgery. You will be able to smile with confidence right away! However, that does not mean you will immediately be able to dig into all of your favorite foods. You will need to modify your eating and drinking habits in order to promote a smooth recovery after your surgery. This simple guide provides practical advice for your healing period.
Why Are Dietary Changes So Important?
Modifying your diet after All-on-4 surgery is important because eating the wrong types of foods could cause discomfort and slow down your recovery. For example, hard and crunchy foods could irritate your tender gum tissues. Overly spicy foods could cause sensitivity and even trigger an inflammatory response in the mouth. Foods that take a lot of effort to chew could over-stress your tender jaw and facial muscles.
Start with No-Chew Foods
For the first 1 – 2 weeks after your surgery, you should stick to a no-chew diet, which may also be called a liquid diet. Here are some examples of acceptable food and beverage choices:
- Water
- Juice
- Tea
- Coffee
- Applesauce
- Broth
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Meal replacement shakes
- Cream-based soups
- Vegetable purees
- Gelatin
- Yogurt
- Smoothies (without seeds or hard add-ins)
Progress to Fork-Tender Foods
After the first couple of weeks of your recovery, you may feel comfortable moving on to soft foods that are easy to chew. Here are some examples:
- Meatloaf
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft breads
- Fully cooked pasta
- Oatmeal
- Soft cheese
- Pancakes
- Cottage cheese
When Can You Return to a Normal Diet?
It is important to note that everyone heals at different rates. Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions so you do not prematurely try to consume foods that your body (and your implants) are not ready for.
Most patients are able to receive a permanent denture within a few months of their surgery. Once you adapt to how it feels in your mouth, you will be able to enjoy virtually any food with ease, including tough and chewy items.
All-on-4 surgery may require you to temporarily abstain from some foods, but before you know it, you will be able to dig in to all your favorite dishes with confidence!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Keyvan Kar is proud to serve the people of Allen as both a general dentist and a prosthodontist (a specialist in dental prosthetics). All-on-4 dental implants are just one of the many treatments he offers. If you are interested in replacing your missing teeth or have questions about what to expect through the dental implant process, he and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact Advanced Dental Care of Allen at 214-260-9911.