Oral surgery patients shouldn’t be snacking on peanut brittle or enjoying saltwater taffy while recovering from their procedures. Whether you come to Dental Restorative Group for dental implants or wisdom teeth extraction, your surgical site will be tender and healing the first few days after your surgery. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a healthy, soft food diet in the days following your appointment and refrain from chewing directly at your surgical sites.
What Exactly Can I Eat After Oral Surgery?
To help you plan for your upcoming oral surgery, here’s a list of 5 safe foods to eat after such procedures.
Smoothies
Smoothies and Avoiding Dry Socket
One of the healthiest soft food choices you can make after oral surgery is smoothies. Just grab your favorite blender and some ice, and pour in your favorite fruit, juice, or water combinations. For an extra boost, add a protein supplement.
Smoothies are a great food choice for oral surgery patients because they’re easy to eat, healthy, and rich in all the vitamins your body needs while recovering from your procedure. An important word of caution, though, is to avoid using a straw for drinking if you’ve had wisdom teeth extracted or general tooth extraction in preparation for dental implants. Sucking on a straw after tooth extractions can lead to an uncomfortable recovery complication called dry socket. These occur when the membrane that immediately forms over a tooth socket’s exposed jaw bone tissue gets broken. And once this healing membrane is gone, it won’t regrow, and you’ll require additional follow-up appointments so our dentists can pack the tooth socket with a dressing to allow it to heal properly.
Instead of using a straw, gently spoon-feed your smoothies if your surgery included a tooth extraction.
Soups
Soups and Broths After Surgery
Another healthy choice for post-op dental patients is soup. Now’s the time to enjoy some chicken noodle soup, minestrone, or a Belmont favorite – New England clam chowder. As with the precautions for drinking smoothies, ensure you don’t slurp your soups down if you had a tooth extraction; instead, carefully spoon-feed small portions to yourself.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes and Soft Sides
Forget counting carbs. When recovering from oral surgery, one of the easiest foods to eat is some good, homemade mashed potatoes! This downhome favorite is easy to prepare in bulk and reheat when you’re hungry, and we won’t judge you if you add extra butter in the mix or top it off with some gravy or sour cream.
Yogurt
Yogurt and Applesauce for Easy Eating
Another healthy, easy-to-grab option is pre-packaged yogurts. You can stock up on your favorite flavors during a grocery trip before your big appointment, grab a container, and dig in when you’re hungry during recovery time.
Applesauce
Finally, applesauce is a great food when you have a tender surgical site healing in your mouth. Just make sure not to eat the pouches of applesauce, which require you to suck the applesauce out and may lead to dry sockets if you had a tooth extraction. Instead, buy a package of individual servings or a large jar to dish out your desired serving size when hungry.
Contact Us if You Need Any Help Planning Your Meals Post Surgery
Planning Your Post-Surgery Meals
As you prepare for your surgery day, feel free to call our Belmont offices if you wonder what’s on the approved list of menu items. Our staff will be happy to answer your questions and make alternative soft food suggestions if you have any dietary needs that prevent you from enjoying the foods listed above.
Related Reading
- Is Oral Surgery Safe When Taking Blood Thinning Medication?
- Should I Eat Something Before Oral Surgery?
- 6 Oral Hygiene Tips After Oral Surgery
- How Soon Can I Drive After Receiving Anesthesia for Oral Surgery?
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I eat after oral surgery?
Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days and avoid chewing directly on the surgical site. Smoothies, soups, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and applesauce are all easy options that need very little chewing while your mouth is tender and healing.
Why should I avoid straws after a tooth extraction?
Sucking on a straw can break the membrane that forms over the exposed jaw bone in the tooth socket. That leads to a complication called dry socket, and the membrane will not regrow, so a follow-up visit is needed to pack the socket with a dressing.
Can I drink smoothies after wisdom teeth removal?
Yes, but gently spoon-feed them rather than using a straw if your surgery included an extraction. Smoothies are easy to eat and can be blended with fruit, juice, and even a protein supplement, giving your body vitamins while you recover from the procedure.
Is soup safe to eat after dental implant surgery?
Soup is a good soft food choice after oral surgery. Just avoid slurping it down if you had a tooth extraction, and carefully spoon small portions instead. Chicken noodle, minestrone, and New England clam chowder are all reasonable options during recovery.
How long should I stay on soft foods after oral surgery?
Your surgical site will be tender and healing for the first few days after your appointment, so plan on soft foods during that period. Follow the post-op instructions you are given, and call our Belmont office if you are unsure when to add firmer foods back in.
Can I eat applesauce pouches after oral surgery?
Choose individual cups or a large jar rather than squeeze pouches. Pouches require you to suck the applesauce out, and that suction may lead to dry socket if you have had a tooth extracted. Spoon your serving from a container instead.
