If you choose to replace your missing teeth with All-on-4 dental implants, you will eventually be able to eat all of your favorite foods again without restriction. That said, until your mouth fully recovers from the procedure, there will be limits on what you’ll be able to eat and drink. Before you undergo All-on-4 surgery, you should make sure that you have an accurate idea of what your diet will look like until your mouth and jaw have fully recovered.
Your Diet During the First Two Weeks
After your All-on-4 procedure, your mouth will be sore for a couple of weeks. During this time, you should only consume liquid foods that don’t require any chewing. Broth, pureed vegetable soup, and meal replacement shakes can all be good options. Be sure to do your research and stock up on liquid foods that you’ll be able to enjoy during your initial recovery.
You should plan on only drinking cool liquids for the first couple of days after your surgery; hot liquids should be avoided until your mouth has sufficiently healed. Remember not to drink any beverages through a straw. Doing so could dislodge the blood clots at the implant sites, which can lead to significant discomfort and slow down the healing process.
Your Diet from Two Weeks to Three Months
After the first two weeks, you should be able to transition from an all-liquid diet to a soft food diet. At this point, you shouldn’t have any trouble enjoying oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soft bread, bananas, cooked vegetables, and other foods that are easy to chew. The important thing is to stay away from hard or crunchy foods; trying to bite down on them before your implant posts have finished integrating with the jaw could lead to serious problems.
Maintaining good nutrition is important if you want to maximize your chances of a successful All-on-4 procedure. Make sure that you’re getting plenty of foods that are high in protein, vitamins C and D, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can always talk to your dentist to see what kinds of foods they recommend for the weeks and months following All-on-4.
After Recovery is Complete
Once your mouth has fully healed from your All-on-4 surgery and the final prosthesis has been attached to your implant posts, you will be able to return to your normal diet. That said, you will still need to avoid biting down on particularly hard foods such as ice cubes or peppermints; doing so could significantly damage your implant posts.
Sticking to the right kind of diet after All-on-4 surgery can go a long way toward helping you avoid unnecessary complications during your recovery. Make sure that you stock up on the right kinds of foods so that you’re fully prepared for the days following the procedure.
About the Author
Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver studied dentistry at the University of Michigan. He holds membership with the Academy of General Dentistry, the Michigan Dental Association, and other organizations. At Great Lakes Dental Excellence in New Baltimore, he is able to offer start-to-finish dental implant services in order to rebuild his patients’ smiles. If you are interested in undergoing All-on-4 to replace an entire arch of teeth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Van de Vyver by visiting his website or calling (586) 725-5500.