Tips on Eating & Drinking After All-on-4 Surgery

All-On-4 can deliver a full, confident smile with fewer implants compared to traditional implant treatment. But what does recovery from All-on-4 surgery look like? You’ll need to make a few changes to your diet, and you can expect some slight discomfort. Here’s everything you need to know from your implant dentist in Jacksonville when going grocery shopping before your surgery.

Stage 1: 1-2 Weeks After Surgery

Liquid Diet

During the first few days until about two weeks after surgery, you may experience soreness and swelling around your mouth, jaw, and throat. This mild discomfort is completely normal and will gradually subside. During this initial recovery period, however, you should stick to a liquid diet. You can begin drinking liquids immediately after surgery. Try to drink only cool liquids within the first 48 hours and avoid hot or spicy liquids for the first several days after surgery.

Avoid Straws

While it may seem more convenient to sip smoothies and other drinks through a straw, you should actually avoid using straws at all costs. The suction from a straw can loosen blood clots that form near the surgery site and delay healing.

Safe Foods

It’s important to drink fluids that are packed with nutrition to prevent infection and speed up your recovery. Here are some of the many foods and drinks you can consume: 

• Water and milk
• Tea and coffee
• Fruit juices
• Broth (bouillon: beef, chicken, vegetable)
• Soups (especially cream-based varieties)  
• Meal replacement shakes (Ensure, Boost, Special K)
• Yogurt drinks
• Protein shakes
• Smoothies
• Gelatin (Jell-O) and pudding
• Ice cream and frozen yogurt

Stage 2: 2-12 Weeks After Surgery

Soft Food Diet

After about two weeks, any soreness should fade away and you can switch from a liquid diet to eating soft foods. Over the next few months, your implants will fuse directly with your jawbone through “osseointegration.” Eating soft foods helps ensure the success of this important process. Avoid munching on hard, chewy, or crunchy foods during this period.

Fruits and Vegetables You Can Eat

All fruits and vegetables that require minimal chewing are fair game! This includes:

• Mashed foods like applesauce, avocado, and cauliflower
• Soft fruits like bananas and watermelon
• Anything canned and without skin or seeds
• Anything baked or cooked to a soft consistency

Bread, Pasta, and Grains You Can Eat

For breakfast, you can enjoy Cream of Wheat (farina), oatmeal, or pancakes. For lunch and dinner, it is safe to eat soft bread, cooked pasta, quinoa, and mashed potatoes.

Protein You Can Eat

Protein helps rebuild and repair tissues affected by oral surgery and enables the body to fight infection. During this stage of recovery, you can eat:

• Cheese
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Pureed stews
• Sloppy joe (loose meat sandwich)
• Chili
• Hummus

Plan Ahead for Your Recovery

Be proactive to ensure a smooth recovery! Before undergoing All-on-4 surgery, spend some time researching recipes that include the options mentioned above. Be sure to stock up on the right food items and ingredients beforehand so you can rest and relax after your implants are placed. 

Dental implants can make a big impact on your quality of life. In the short term, proper planning when it comes to your diet for the weeks after surgery can work wonders for your All-on-4 recovery!

About the Author

Dr. Ryan Johnson earned his dental doctorate from the University of Colorado. He is now pursuing his Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Johnson’s wife, Rose, is also a dentist. If you are interested in All-on-4 dental implants, their advantages over traditional ones include fewer implants needed, the potential to help you skip the need for preliminary bone grafting, and you may be able to receive a new denture the same day your implants are placed. Schedule a consultation on his website or call (904) 895-4536.