After undergoing All-On-4 surgery, you may not feel like eating right away, especially once your anesthesia wears off. However, once you are more comfortable and begin to feel a rumble in your stomach, you will want to find something to eat, but which foods should you reach for? What about drinks? Are there once you should stay away from? Read on to discover what type of diet you need to follow to ensure a swift and successful recovery.
All-On-4 Recovery: What to Expect
Any time you must experience oral surgery, there’s an understanding that some soreness and discomfort will follow. Your bone and gums need time to heal, so minor pain, swelling, and slight bleeding will be normal for the first few days or even up to one week after your surgery.
Initially, you may it hard to swallow but staying hydrated is key. A liquid diet during the first few weeks of recovery will help you to ease back into a normal diet and keep your mouth healing as it should. Apart from drinking plenty of water, you can also reach for broth, smoothies, milk, and meal replacement shakes to curb your hunger.
From Liquids to Soft Foods: What You Can Eat
Before the day of your surgery, it’s important that you stock your refrigerator and pantry with the appropriate items. The last thing you want is to have to venture out to the grocery store to try and buy what you need during the early stages of recovery.
Once you begin to feel more comfortable and less sore, you can slowly begin to incorporate soft foods into your diet. You’ll need to be mindful of not consuming anything that will apply pressure to your dental implants, as they are still trying to fuse with your jawbone.
Some of the best foods to choose from include:
- Applesauce
- Soft bread
- Bananas or other soft fruits
- Avocados
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Cooked pasta
- Eggs
- Soft cheeses
- Pancakes
- Muffins
- Polenta
- Hummus
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Cream of Wheat
If any foods appear harder to eat, use a blender or food processor to make them consumable. You’ll also need to avoid anything that contains alcohol, as this can be potentially harmful to your dental implants.
Over time, you will begin to transition from soft foods to a regular diet, but this typically comes once your new teeth are secured into place. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll put yourself on a successful path that allows you to enjoy all your favorite foods as well as a healthier, complete, and fully functional smile.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Nawrocki is a dentist with more than four decades of experience. Offering patients an alternative to traditional dental implants, he provides All-On-4 for those who lack the necessary jawbone to support an implant denture. He and his team offer tips and recommendations to help individuals better prepare for post-operative recovery, including which foods and drinks to consume. If you are getting ready to transform your smile with All-On-4, visit our website or call (321) 783-7514 to learn more.