What Will You Be Able to Eat Right After All-on-4 Surgery?

All-on-4 surgery is a major step for reclaiming a complete smile, and it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared ahead of time. As you can probably guess, you’ll need to make a few adjustments to your diet while your mouth is recovering from the procedure. Naturally, this raises the question of what exactly you’ll be able to eat while you’re waiting for your mouth to heal. Here’s what you can expect your diet to look like after you receive All-on-4 dental implants.

The First Two Weeks

Due to the expected soreness in your mouth and jaw after All-on-4 surgery, you’ll initially have to stay away from any foods that require chewing. This means you’ll need to adopt an all-liquid diet for the first couple of weeks following the treatment. Some examples of foods and beverages you can consume during this time include broth, strained or pureed vegetable soup, meal replacement shakes, smoothies, fruit juices, milk, and frozen yogurt.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is essential for a successful recovery. Also, be sure to plan carefully so that you can enjoy meals that are easy to chew and provide you with plenty of nutrition to keep the healing process on schedule.

From Two Weeks to Three Months After Surgery

Eventually, your mouth will recover to the point where you’ll be able to handle heartier foods again. However, until your dental implants finish fusing with the jawbone, you will need to avoid putting too much pressure on them. This means you won’t be able to eat any hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.

For up to three months after your All-on-4 procedure, you should plan on eating only soft foods that require little to no chewing. This can include:

• Mashed fruits like applesauce
• Soft fruits like bananas
• Muffins and other types of soft bread
• Cooked pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Cheese
• Scrambled eggs
• Chili (as long as it’s not too spicy)

Be Prepared for the Recovery Process

It’s important to take the initiative when getting ready for the days following your All-on-4 surgery. Take the time to research the different foods that you will be able to eat so that you can plan your meals ahead of time and start stocking your refrigerator and pantry appropriately.

Make sure that you pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you find yourself feeling hungry all the time, you may need to make a few adjustments to your diet. Remember, you can always talk to your dentist if you have any questions about what you can and can’t eat after your All-on-4 procedure.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Branberg earned his Certificate in Prosthodontics from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He’s able to personally complete every stage of the dental implant process, including the surgical placement of the implant posts. His Colleyville practice, The DFW Dental Implant Center, offers All-on-4 for replacing entire rows of teeth in as little as one appointment. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Branberg, visit his website or call (817) 440-7133.