Soft Foods You Can Eat After Oral Surgery

So, you’ve just gotten out of the operating room after a successful tooth extraction or root canal. You probably have a million and one questions for your dentist or dental surgeon. But, at the top of that list of very important questions is the most pressing query: “Before I turn into a rage monster fuelled by a grumbling belly and low blood sugar, what can I eat?” Perhaps unsurprisingly, your post-oral-surgery diet is going to look a little different than it did before you had that tooth extraction. Fortunately, depending on the type of surgery, the changes will only be temporary and minor. Nevertheless, after undergoing any oral or dental surgery, it’s important for you to watch what you eat. Certain foods can cause more pain than culinary pleasure, prolong the healing process or, worst of all, lead to infection. So, before you bite into that parmesan crostini or roasted corn on the cob, read through this list of foods to avoid and foods to eat after dental surgery.  

Foods to Avoid After Dental Surgery

After your oral surgery, your dentist will likely advise you to avoid eating certain foods. While it might feel like your dentist is just being overly cautious, we promise you, you’ll want to heed his or her advice. Some foods can worsen your pain, slow down the healing process or, worse yet, land you back on the operating table with a terrible infection. In general, you’ll want to avoid any foods that can irritate your gums or loosen or otherwise disrupt recent implants. You’ll also want to avoid any foods and beverages that will interfere with your post-surgery medications. Here’s a list of some foods to avoid after dental surgery:

• Acidic foods (they can irritate your gums and erode enamel)
• Spicy foods (they can also irritate your gums and cause extreme discomfort)
• Hard foods
• Alcohol (it may interact negatively with post-surgery medications)
• Foods that will stick in your teeth (popcorn, corn, nuts with skins, etc.)

Your post-surgery diet definitely won’t be as open as your pre-surgery diet but it’s also not nearly as restrictive as you might think. We can see tons of frozen treats in your near future…  

Foods to Eat After Dental Surgery

When you’re trying to figure out which foods to eat after dental surgery, keep one basic rule in mind: soft is safe. Your gums—or your whole face for that matter—are probably going to feel a little sore after a root canal or wisdom tooth removal operation. Your jaw and your teeth near to the surgical site can feel as delicate as glass. Even the idea of chomping down on some crunchy potato chips can send shivers down your spine. In order not to exacerbate any soreness you might experience, after your oral surgery stick to eating soft foods. Here’s a list of some soft foods you can eat after dental surgery:

• Mashed potatoes
• Applesauce
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Soup with softened vegetables and shredded meats
• Eggs and Egg Salads
• Oatmeal
• Fish
• Soft cheeses
• ICE CREAM!

Not all soft foods make for good post-surgery snacks and meals, however. Depending on the operation you had, you’ll want to avoid any soft foods that can stick in your gums and cause infection. Foods such as baked beans, for example, have skins that can linger in your mouth and encourage the growth of bad bacteria near your surgical site. While your menu options might seem limited, you’ll be surprised just how many different kinds of stew you can make and how many egg salad recipes you can find. And don’t think that you’re limited to just drinking fruit smoothies either. Hot beverages such as green tea are not just comforting, they can provide some temporary relief from pain and help fight off bad bacteria. Use your post-surgery recovery time as an opportunity to expand your culinary horizons… and eat far more ice cream than your personal trainer would recommend.  

You’re on the Road to Recovery

The foods you eat after dental surgery can either send you running back to the dentist or help you heal. But there’s no substitute for maintaining your oral and dental hygiene routine. Unless otherwise instructed by your dentist, you’ll want to make sure that you brush and floss twice a day and wash your mouth regularly with an antibacterial wash after oral surgery. Before you know it, you’ll be back to cracking chestnuts with your teeth. Actually, you definitely should not be cracking chestnuts with your teeth. Maybe that’s how you ended up requiring that dental implant in the first place… If you have any other questions about your post oral surgery recovery period, contact your dentist. At Dawson Dental, we’re always happy to answer your questions. Book a virtual consultation with us today or, better yet, schedule an in-person appointment… and bring some of the new dishes you’ve been trying out.