Eating and Drinking After All-of-4 Surgery

Adding the support of dental implants to your denture provides unmatched stability, so you’ll never have to worry about slipping or irritation. You won’t have to skip eating your favorite foods anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can chomp on a juicy steak right away. You’ll enjoy a complete smile in one day with All-On-4 surgery in Los Angeles; however, it will take several months for your mouth to heal. The foods you eat can affect the healing process. Here’s what you need to know about eating and drinking after your dental implant surgery.

Dietary Restrictions During Recovery

You won’t have to go without any teeth while you heal with All-On-4. While you might get your denture sooner than with the traditional implant method, the recovery process is the same. Your implant posts will stimulate bone growth in your jaw. Your bone will fuse to the posts through a process called osseointegration, which can take several months to occur.

You’ll have to watch what you eat during your recovery because too much pressure on the healing bone can delay the process. Here’s what you can expect your diet to look like while on your journey to a beautiful smile.

1-2 Weeks Post-Op: Liquid Diet

Although you won’t feel anything during your surgery, your mouth will be sore after the effects of any anesthetics dissipate. A liquid diet is recommended for a few days to 2 weeks post-op. You won’t want to chew anything during this time to prevent discomfort while keeping pressure off your bone. Smoothies and cool soups will keep you nourished, but don’t drink them through a straw. Suction can dislodge the blood clots forming at the surgical site, leading to unnecessary complications. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

2 Weeks – 3 Months Post-Op: Soft Food Diet

After a couple of weeks, your soreness will subside. You can transition to eating softer foods, like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or eggs. You’ll want to choose foods that require minimal chewing. Avoid anything with seeds, which can get trapped in the healing tissue. Your dentist will recommend skipping anything hard, chewy, or crunchy to prevent delays in osseointegration.

Enjoy Your New Smile

Your implant dentist will monitor your healing progression to give the go-ahead to resume your regular diet. You’ll regain up to 70% of your natural biting force to eat all your favorite foods again, including steak. However, cut any tough meats into smaller pieces to make them easier to chew.

Although you’ll have to adjust your diet for a few weeks, it’s a small price to pay for a solution that mimics your natural teeth.

About Dr. Idan Snapir

Dr. Snapir earned his dental degree from UCLA before continuing his education in dental implant placement, full mouth, reconstruction, and more. He can perform the entire dental implant process in-house. You’ll benefit from added convenience to spend more time focusing on your All-On-4 recovery in Los Angeles. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for dental implants.