FOODS TO EAT AFTER ORAL SURGERY

Oral surgeries are common practices that are done for numerous reasons. Most oral surgeries take place right in your dentist’s office. Occasionally, the mobile oral surgery has to be more invasive and seeing a specific oral surgeon is required. Regardless of what the oral surgery is, you will have some dietary restrictions immediately following it. Patients who plan in advance typically have a much easier recovery.

Therefore, if you are preparing for surgery, it is important to buy foods in advance of your surgery.

Types of Oral Surgeries

There are many types of oral surgeries that you may find yourself needing throughout your lifetime. The most common type is a tooth extraction. Most people don’t think of this as oral surgery, but it is. Tooth extractions are typically done in your dentist’s office. In some cases you may need to see an oral surgeon to extract the tooth (teeth). The recovery time for tooth extractions vary, but most are
recovered in a few days to a week.

Other types of oral surgeries are for more major dental issues. They include dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, and treatment of diseases. All of these are much more invasive treatments than tooth extractions. Each of them comes with their own unique set of recovery guidelines and timeframes.

What foods can I eat after oral surgery?

It is recommended that you consume only soft, mild foods following your surgery. If you consume hard foods, you run the risk of damaging the dental work that was done during the procedure. Hard foods can also cause you pain during your recovery. The same can be said about spicy or really hot foods. If you consume this type of food following your surgery, you run the risk of it irritating the procedure
site.

Here is a list of possible soft foods that you can consume after surgery:

  • Juices such as apple, cranberry, or grape
  • Herbal tea
  • Jell-O
  • Yogurt
  • Pudding
  • Custard
  • Ice cream or milkshakes
  • Applesauce
  • Fruit smoothies
  • Popsicles
  • Hearty soups
  • Fresh cooked vegetables
  • Rice or risotto
  • Tofu
  • Pasta with plain or white sauce
  • Soft white fish
  • Soft fruits
  • Oatmeal or cream of wheat
  • Mashed potatoes

In most cases, these foods will not irritate your mouth following surgery. It is important to make sure that they are not extreme temperatures as well. Very hot and very cold food can cause pain following surgery.

What are foods to avoid following surgery?

There are definitely foods that you should avoid following surgery. They need to be avoided because they can either damage the work done in the procedure or cause you irritation or pain. These foods include:

  • Hard foods such as raw vegetables or hard candies
  • Spicy foods
  • Foods that are difficult to chew such as steak or chicken
  • Crusty breads such as bagels or cookies
  • Popcorn, potato chips, or pretzels
  • Sticky candy
  • Alcoholic beverages

These foods should be avoided for as long as necessary following surgery. Your dentist will give you guidance on the length of recovery time. Immediately following surgery you should start with clear liquids and slowly transition to more substantial foods. It is important that you maintain nutrition following surgery.

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