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For people looking to improve their smile and overall dental health, All-on-4 dental implants can be a great alternative to other standard procedures like fixed bridges or dentures. The procedure has a success rate of over 90%, making it as close to a permanent solution as possible. When properly cared for, the implants also resist decay. The care starts with making informed decisions about what you can and cannot consume after the surgery is over.

After having All-on-4 dental implant surgery, it can be confusing and sometimes difficult to identify which foods and drinks are safe to consume and which ones you should avoid. Eating or drinking the wrong things can often lead to difficulty after the surgery. Below is useful information to help patients stay pain-free and speed the recovery process when it comes to eating.

All-on-4 Post-Surgery Eating Guidelines

It’s true that once the permanent teeth are placed, patients will be able to eat and drink all their favorites again. Right after surgery though, you will still have the temporary teeth your dentist placed on the implants. During the first two weeks after surgery, it’s crucial for recovery to be cautious about what you eat and drink.

Knowing what is safe to consume post-surgery will help:

  • Lessen the effects of any swelling or pain
  • Help with a speedier and more comfortable recovery
  • Ensure you get to fully enjoy the benefits of your new All-on-4 implants after the healing process is complete

First Two Weeks

For the first few day’s post-surgery, stick to an all-liquid diet if possible. Smooth soups like clear broths or creamy vegetable soup, meal replacement drinks like Ensure, fruit smoothies without many seeds, protein drinks, and juices with good calcium content are excellent choices. Take special care to limit citrus fruit-based drinks like orange juice as they are highly acidic and can damage the enamel on the new implants. Also, avoid using a straw for the first month post-op. The sucking action can cause bleeding and potentially cause a dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot gets dislodged.

After a few days, patients can add things to their diet like scrambled eggs with soft cheeses, mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes and cooked cereals topped with soft mashed fruits however, you should still avoid adding acidic fruits or ones with a lot of seeds.

Tip: If you already have dietary restrictions due to another health condition, be sure to talk with your dentist about it to get recommendations that fit into these limitations.

Two Weeks to 3 Months Post-Surgery

Most of the soreness should have receded by the third-week post-surgery. Now begins the start of the transition from a liquid diet to a soft food one. Keep in mind, the jaw is still healing, and the implants will take some time to completely integrate with the implanted posts. Be careful when eating and drinking and continue to avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy. Instead, opt for things like:

  • Mashed and pureed fruits like applesauce and vegetables like potatoes and carrots
  • Soft fruits that do not contain a lot of seeds like bananas
  • Turkey, chicken, fish, or other meats that are not tough or stringy
  • Muffins, cooked pasta, oatmeal, and soft bread
  • Eggs, soft cheeses, hummus, and tofu
  • Ice cream and yogurt without nuts or seeds

After eating, be sure to note any sensations or pain that occurred during and after consumption. If anything causes pain or discomfort to your jaw, avoid it until the healing process is complete.

Learn More About Your Options

Kanehl Dental Group has provided All-on-4 implant treatments for many of our Jacksonville, FL area patients. With advanced training and experience in treating patients with the most challenging dental cases, including lost and missing teeth. We are here to help you get the healthiest teeth and the best smile possible. To learn more about All-on-4 dental implants or to consult with us on any other dental issues, schedule an appointment with our Jacksonville office today.