Eating Food After Oral Surgery

When preparing for cleveland oral surgery, it would be a good idea to have some soft foods already at your home, ready to eat. Once you are home and recuperating from your oral surgery, the foods you eat need to be soft as not to require much chewing.

Before and after your surgery, make sure your water intake is increased a bit. Being well hydrated can help your body during the recovery process from your oral surgery and keep swelling down.

While it can be difficult to find soft foods that are satisfying and easy to eat, adding a protein powder to juices and smoothies will help satiate you. Begin with clear liquids, sticking to teas and broths on the same day of your surgery. Do not use straws to consume anything as they can cause the blood clot forming over your surgery site to dislodge, creating a painful dry socket and a trip back to the doctor!

Below is a list of some soft foods and beverages ideal after extractions or implant placement:

  • Yogurt
  • Mashed or baked potatoes
  • Plain pasta, over cooked
  • Juices, avoiding citrus juices
  • Pudding or Jello
  • Soups
  • Rice
  • Soft white fish
  • Applesauce
  • Ice cream, milkshakes, frozen yogurt
  • Soft fruits, such as bananas or canned pears and peaches
  • Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat or grits
  • Tea
  • eggs
  • Tofu
  • Steamed vegetables, not roasted
  • Popsicles
  • Soft cheeses
  • Avocados
  • Cottage cheese, plain or mixed with veggies or berries
  • Tapioca
  • Mousse
  • Peanut butter

Smoothies are the perfect choice right after oral surgery. You can pop in tons of fruits and veggies to be sure you are getting the nutrition you need. Include nut butters or greek yogurt for protein with water or milk. When making your smoothies, be sure to avoid any fruits with seeds such as blackberries or strawberries.

After surgery, allow a week of healing time before eating:

  • Crunchy foods like chips, pretzels and popcorn
  • Stick foods (taffy and caramels)
  • Spicy foods
  • Crusty and chewy breads, toast
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Any foods that require a lot of chewing, such as chicken and steak
  • Cookies
  • Seeds and nuts

Having a nutrition plan for your post surgery recovery is important as proper nutrition helps the body heal! Starting with a liquid diet the day of surgery gives the site time to close. Your oral surgeon will give you instructions to follow where your diet is concerned and may allow you to begin some of the soft foods listed above as early as the day after surgery.

Please keep in mind the list above is meant to be a simple guideline. Follow your regular dietary restrictions where allergies or intolerances are concerned. Be sure to include plenty of vitamins, mineral and proteins as they will all assist in wound healing. Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously and do not use mouthwash. Gentle brushing and flossing can be continued, being careful to avoid your surgery area. You may be advised to clean the site with a q-tip instead of brushing it. A simple warm salt water mixture would be good to rinse about in your mouth after eating but do not use to force to spit, instead letting the water pour out of your mouth.

More on Oral Surgery : Oral Surgery FAQ