What You Can Eat After Oral Surgery - And What To Avoid
What You Can Eat After Oral Surgery - And What To Avoid
Whether you’re recovering from wisdom teeth extraction, or are experiencing pain following any type of oral surgery, knowing what kinds of food are best to eat during this time can help you heal without causing further discomfort.
While pain in your mouth may result in a decreased appetite, it’s important to keep your body fueled with healthy foods, as a nutritious diet can aid your recovery, assist with wound healing, and even reduce the risk of complications.
When it comes to post-surgery sustenance, soft food and easy-to-chew are your best bet. If you’re recovering from oral surgery, here are our top tips for mouth-friendly foods.
What to eat after oral surgery
Super soups
Soup is an ideal easy-to-eat food choice, especially blended soups that don’t contain large chunks. What’s more, many soups, such as vegetable-based soups, have lots of healthy vitamins and minerals, and can also help to keep you hydrated due to their water content.
Just be careful to ensure your soup isn’t too hot, as this may cause irritation and hurt sensitive areas of your mouth.
Go for Greek yoghurt
Smooth, creamy, and refreshing, Greek yoghurt is a great snack to have when you’re recovering from dental surgery. Plus, it’s high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, including calcium which is important for healthy teeth.
Try Greek yoghurt drizzled with honey for a sweet treat or pour it over soft fruits for a healthy snack.
Mash it up
While you may think mashed foods are for babies, they’re also great when you’re recovering from oral surgery, as they don’t require chewing and their soft texture is less likely to irritate your mouth.
As well as the old favourite mashed potato, you can mash all kinds of vegetables to get a healthy hit of nutrients and vitamins - try mashed pumpkin, butternut squash, or beetroot. And for a sweeter mash, opt for a tasty mashed banana.
Get scrambling
High in protein and nutrients, eggs are a fantastic food choice at any time, but especially after dental surgery given their soft consistency and the fact they’re easy to chew and swallow.
Scrambled eggs are particularly good if you’re suffering from a sore or wounded mouth, as their loose consistency won’t irritate wounds or painful areas.
Everyone loves an avo
With their smooth and creamy texture, avocados are an ideal fruit to reach for when you’re recovering from any kind of oral surgery. As well as being delicious, they’re also super-healthy - avocados are high in healthy fats, low in carbs, and are a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium.
For a mouth-friendly way to eat your avocado, try mashing the fruit in a bowl with a little olive oil or sour cream.
Smoothie goodness
Smoothies are a great food choice for getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals in an easy-to-consume way that won’t aggravate your mouth pain. Plus, you can get creative and throw in any type of fruit and veggies you like!
As very cold food and drink may cause sensitivity or pain when you’re recovering from oral surgery, it’s best not to blend your smoothie with ice or use frozen fruit or vegetables.
What food should I avoid after oral surgery?
Certain types of food are best avoided after oral surgery, as they can irritate wounds in the mouth and prevent proper healing, as well as causing pain and discomfort.
Here are some foods to avoid after your dental surgery:
● Spicy foods
● Crunchy and crumbly foods such as chips and cookies
● Grains and seeds that can get lodged in wounds
● Chewy or sticky foods
● Food and beverages that are very hot or very cold
● Alcohol, which may irritate wounds and/or interact with post-surgery medication
If you have any questions about recovering from dental surgery, contact your local National Dental Care or DB Dental practice today. Find your nearest practice and book online.