What You Can Eat and Drink After Oral SurgeryPosted by Desert Mountain Dental on Feb 16 2019, 02:46 AM Show Common oral surgery procedures such as tooth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, and the fitting of dental implants require you to watch what you eat and drink after the surgery — but choosing the right food and drink can be a challenging task. Since you might be temporarily incapacitated after your oral surgery procedure due to anesthesia, it is possible you will not be able to drive or travel to buy food. Be sure to prepare ahead of time by purchasing foods that you will be able to eat in the days, and sometimes weeks, after surgery. Although your oral surgeon will take you through the basic foods and beverages you are allowed to consume, consider this guide as a checklist of what to eat and, more importantly, what not to eat. DRINK WATERStaying hydrated is crucial after any major or minor surgery. Sip on a little more water than your normal daily amount to flush food particles away from the affected area. Drinking fluids following oral surgery will also speed up the healing process and help to prevent conditions like dry socket. However, when drinking liquids, do so by sipping on a cup or bottle. Do not use a straw, as the suction could dislodge any dressings on the wound. FOODS TO EATDentists recommend soft foods that are easily ingestible. These include:
SMOOTHIESAlthough smoothies are a great option for your recovery period, steer clear of blending fruits with small seeds. Blackberries and strawberries have seeds that can get stuck in open wounds and cause complications. Also, consider adding protein powder to smoothies for a nutritional boost. MASHED VEGETABLESMashed vegetables such as peas, carrots and butternut squash are a soft and nutritious substitute for carbohydrate-heavy mashed potatoes. YOGURTGreek yogurt is a healthy food that is high in protein. The protein kicks your recovery into high gear and aids in healing. It is also a great source of vitamins and minerals like zinc and calcium. FOODS AND BEVERAGES TO AVOID
ALCOHOLThe consumption of alcoholic beverages is usually prohibited following any procedure. Alcohol can interfere with postoperative medication and can cause dehydration, which in turn slows the healing process. RICEGrains like rice can get wedged into the wound, much like the small seeds in strawberries. If you are craving carbohydrates, go with a softer option like macaroni and cheese. THE BOTTOM LINEAfter oral surgery, you will need to choose foods that are soft, packed with protein and rich in nutrients. Drink lots of water, and try to avoid beverages that will dehydrate you. Certain salty foods can cause dehydration as well, so steer clear of foods that are high in sodium. Prepare for oral surgery by stocking your kitchen with these foods, and plenty of water, to make sure your recovery goes smoothly. Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars. They grow at the back of your gums and are typically the last teeth to emerge. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each back corner of their mouth. But because there’s little space at the back of your mouth, your wisdom teeth may develop at odd angles or only partly emerge. These are called impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems. They may get infected, damage neighboring teeth, cause crowding or start to decay because they’re hard to clean (1). To address these concerns, people often get their wisdom teeth removed. However, wisdom teeth don’t need to be removed unless they cause problems. After you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, it’s very important to ensure you’re getting the right nutrition. A nutritious diet minimizes the risk of complications, helps reduce swelling, provides nourishment, and aids the wound healing process. The foods you eat after surgery should be soft and easy to chew. They should also have lots of vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein to assist wound healing. Here are 15 soft foods you should eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. Blended soups, like tomato or pumpkin soup, are great to eat after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. They’re easy to consume and don’t contain bits that could irritate the area of surgery. In addition, soups are generally rich in vitamins and minerals. This helps ensure you meet the daily nutrition recommendations when you can’t eat many whole fruits or vegetables. Blended soups can also keep you hydrated, which is very important after surgery. It’s wise to ensure your soups are either lukewarm or cold, because hot soups can cause irritation. Also, make sure to blend vegetable-based soups as smooth as possible to avoid chunks. Like soups, broths are an excellent source of nourishment after dental surgery. Not only are they delicious, they also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, broths are a great way to stay hydrated if you struggle to drink enough water. Bone broth is a type of broth touted for its health benefits. It’s a nutritious stock made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue. Although there are no direct studies on the health effects of bone broth, studies on the components of bone broth suggest it may have anti-inflammatory benefits (2, 3). Make sure to consume the broth either lukewarm or cold to avoid irritating the wound. Greek yogurt is a nutritious high-protein food you can enjoy after dental surgery. It has a smooth and creamy texture that may help soothe and numb your mouth. Greek yogurt is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and zinc (4). High-protein foods may aid the recovery process. In fact, several studies have linked a low-protein diet to a slower recovery (5, 6). In addition, studies show that an adequate zinc intake may promote wound healing (7, 8, 9). However, if your zinc status is already good, consuming additional zinc may provide no added benefits. That said, many zinc-rich foods such as steak and other meats are difficult to consume after dental surgery, so Greek yogurt can be a great alternative. Potatoes are a root vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. Specifically, mashed potatoes can be a comforting food after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. They’re rich in calories and nutrients, both important for recovery (10). This is because people have slightly higher energy requirements after having surgery. Mashed potatoes allow you to consume lots of nutrients and energy in just a few bites, which is great if you’re struggling to eat enough food (6, 11). Just make sure that your mashed potatoes are lukewarm or cold, as hot foods may irritate the wound. Eggs are among the best foods to eat after having your wisdom teeth out. They’re a source of high quality protein rich in vitamins and minerals. When it comes to buying eggs, try to find pasteurized or omega-3-enriched varieties. Omega-3 fats may aid wound healing (12). Scrambled eggs can be easier to chew and swallow, compared with other egg preparations. Apples are hard and crunchy, which isn’t ideal after having your wisdom teeth removed. Eating applesauce is one way to increase your fruit intake while avoiding irritation. However, applesauce is usually made from puréed apples, which are typically skinless and cored — and this reduces their nutritional content. This is because the skin contains many vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Nevertheless, a skinless apple is a good source of vitamins like vitamin C. This vitamin may help boost the immune system, which in turn may aid the wound healing process (13, 14). Bananas are among the most popular fruits in the world. Their soft texture makes them easy to chew and swallow after dental surgery. What’s more, bananas are incredibly nutritious and provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, and folate (15). Mashing bananas can further soften their texture to reduce the risk of discomfort. People often recommend eating ice cream when you’re recovering from wisdom tooth surgery. While the coldness may have a soothing effect on the wound, regular ice cream is typically high in sugar and fat. Banana ice cream is a healthy and delicious homemade alternative to regular ice cream. How to Make Banana Ice CreamIngredients
Directions
Avocados are a unique fruit. While most fruits are high in carbs, avocados are low in carbs but high in healthy fats. Their smooth, creamy texture makes them great for eating when you’re recovering from having your wisdom teeth taken out. Avocados are very nutritious and a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium (16). One study in animals found that avocados may speed up the wound healing process. Although this research doesn’t indicate whether avocados speed wound healing in humans, the findings are promising (17). While avocados are usually easy to eat, it may be easiest to consume whipped or mashed avocado during your recovery. Smoothies are a great way to boost your nutrition when you can’t eat a solid meal. They’re easy to consume and highly versatile. You can adjust the ingredients in smoothies to suit your tastes and meet your nutrition goals. For example, smoothies with Greek yogurt or a scoop of protein powder can boost your protein intake significantly, which is important for recovery. Studies have shown that a low protein intake may impair the recovery process (5, 6). Try adding some fruit and vegetables into the blender alongside your choice of protein. It’s best to use fruit that’s seedless, so you may want to avoid things like strawberries and blackberries. Hummus is a common dip in Middle Eastern cuisine that’s become popular worldwide. It’s a great source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and protein. This makes hummus an excellent food for someone who just had their wisdom teeth removed (18). You can make hummus by blending chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon, and garlic in a food processor. Alternatively, you can purchase premade hummus from most supermarkets. Unfortunately, you may not be able to enjoy hummus with chips or pita bread because their crunchy texture may damage the wound. However, hummus is still delicious to eat by itself. Cottage cheese is low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals (19). It’s soft and creamy, which makes it easy to chew and swallow as you’re recovering from wisdom tooth surgery. Additionally, cottage cheese is packed with protein, which may aid wound recovery (5, 6). Cottage cheese is also easy to incorporate into your diet. Try adding it to scrambled eggs or into your smoothies. Oats are among the most nutritious foods. They’re filling and a good source of fiber, plus they contain vitamins and minerals (20). Oats do have a slightly chewy and sticky texture, so it’s best to wait to consume them until at least 3 days after having your wisdom teeth removed. It’s also best to opt for instant oatmeal because it’s less chewy than other types, such as oatmeal made with steel cut oats. To avoid irritation, make sure the oats have cooled down before you eat them. Mashed cooked pumpkin is great to eat after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. While sometimes referred to as a vegetable, it’s actually a fruit. Its soft, mushy texture makes it easy to chew and swallow without causing irritation. What’s more, pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like potassium (21). These vitamins may help promote immunity, which in turn may help the body recover from wisdom tooth removal (22, 23). However, make sure to let the pumpkin cool down so it won’t irritate your wound. Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. It’s also great to eat after dental surgery because it’s soft and easy to chew. Salmon is a rich source of protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids (24). These fats may aid wound healing by reducing inflammation, especially if you already have low omega-3 fatty acid levels. Although inflammation is essential to the wound healing process, excess inflammation can hinder recovery if it lasts too long (25). Several types of foods can irritate the wounds in your mouth as they’re healing after surgery. Here are some foods to avoid after wisdom tooth removal:
It’s also important to avoid using a straw while you recover from wisdom tooth removal. Straws create suction in the mouth that increases the risk of developing a dry socket. A dry socket is a painful condition in which the clot protecting the area where the tooth was removed becomes dislodged. As a result, the underlying bones and nerves are exposed to air, which causes pain and delays healing (26). If you’ve just had your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to choose nutrient-rich and soft-textured foods. Nutritious soft foods not only support recovery but also help prevent discomfort. Excellent foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal include:
If you’re having your wisdom teeth removed soon, it may be worthwhile to stock your cupboard with these delicious foods to make sure you’ll stay nourished and satisfied after surgery. |
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