Maybe you injured yourself as an athlete in high school. Perhaps you’ve gone through other types of surgery in the past. Although these experiences certainly brough valuable lessons, they might not have prepared you for recovering from having All-on-X dental implant surgery. With these other situations, you could eat basically what you wanted as you rested and healed.
Although taking it easy for a while is essential to bouncing back after this minor surgery, your diet in the aftermath plays a major role in whether your All-on-X surgery is successful. In this post, you’ll find out why your intake matters and what you should and shouldn’t have following this procedure.
Why Diet Matters After All-on-X Surgery
Perhaps what you eat doesn’t seem related to helping you heal from minor surgery, but it actually does, especially when it occurs in the mouth. Not only do you need to fuel your body with nutrients and vitamins that will facilitate healing and prevent infection, but you also need to be concerned about the microbiome of your mouth to make your All-on-X implants work.
Being selective with what and how you eat can lead to easier and more comfortable success for your prosthetic teeth. As a result, your dentist will strongly suggest adhering to their directions.
Diet Guidelines for a Smoother Recovery
Generally, instructions given by your dentist will come with two different timelines: short term and slightly longer term. Although it may seem like an intolerably long period of time and the restrictions may seem superfluous, it’s important to stick with your recommended diet.
1-2 Weeks After All-on-X Surgery
Until you reach the two-week mark following your implant surgery, your mouth may feel sore, especially in the first few days. Opening and closing your jaw will likely cause discomfort, which usually can be managed with over-the-counter pain reliever and plenty of rest. To help ease your jaw back into function, you can also apply warm heat to your face and gently massage it.
Obviously, during this vulnerable time, you’ll need nourishment and tons of fluids to stay hydrated. However, you must not drink from a straw because the motion used to create suction in the mouth could remove the blood clot too early, exposing the healing tissue underneath to oral bacteria. When you drink liquids, try to make them cool. Avoid overly hot beverages or soups at least until after bleeding has stopped and the anesthetic has completely worn off, but you should wait to have hot liquids for a couple of days to let the healing process get started.
As tempting as it can feel to indulge in sweet treats when you’re not feeling your best, it’s important to choose nutritious fluids that can keep up your strength and fight infection. Too much sugar, on the other hand, encourages oral bacterial growth, which can increase the risk of implant failure. That’s not what you want at all!
2 Weeks to 3 Months After All-on-X Surgery
At this point in your recovery, discomfort should have subsided, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready for hard, chewy, or crunchy foods again. In fact, you can advance to soft foods, but these other more difficult foods should still be off the menu for a while. Appropriate soft foods include eggs, soft bread, mashed vegetables or fruit, canned fruit and vegetables, hummus, yogurt, oatmeal or quinoa, and the like.
If you want your All-on-X dental implants to become secure and last a long time, you need to make sacrifices in the near aftermath of your placement surgery. By following these diet guidelines from your dentist, you can enjoy your prosthetic teeth and have a second chance at a healthy, strong smile.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Boyles had the privilege of working alongside and learning from his father, Dr. Franklin Boyles, for many years. Since graduating dental school, Dr. Stepen has shown his prowess and proficiency in the dental field by earning Master status with the Academy of General Dentistry, a high distinction for dentists. If you would like to learn more about All-on-X dental implants, you may schedule a consultation with Dr. Boyles by calling our Midland office at 432-685-7011 or contacting us online.