Are you advised by your dentist to have oral surgery? If yes, you are likely thinking about the surgery, post-procedure care, and oral surgery cost? A chief component to make your recovery smooth and quick is adding the best post-surgery diet in your post-surgical period. For this purpose, we’re going to answer your question about “what to eat after an oral surgery?”
Hearty meals are tempting. But sometimes, your oral surgeon will recommend eating only soft foods after specific dental surgery, like wisdom tooth removal and root canal. The primary purpose is to prevent damage to your teeth, gums, or other prosthetic work. So it is necessary to stick to eating soft foods after oral surgery. Don’t worry, as we’ve some great choices for a soft food diet to soothe your taste buds and get recover quickly.
Why Are Soft Foods Necessary?
Consuming soft foods after oral surgery is necessary to ensure proper recovery. Oral surgery can include any tooth removal, periodontal surgery, implants, or root canal. Sticking to eat only soft foods – as instructed by your oral surgeon – reduces irritation in the surgical area. It is possible to experience discomfort after oral surgery.
What type of foods you can eat
Dairy
Creamy foods are far easy to consume as they don’t require any chewing. Foods like yogurt, ice-cream, milkshakes, and eggs are right for you following your oral surgery, like a root canal.
Fruits
Soft fruits do not require much chewing, making them the best type of foods you can generally take after dental surgery. These fruits are not only good for your teeth but also your general health. Fruits like banana, peach, applesauce, and mangoes are great options. You can also add a fruit smoothie to your diet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential for you to have good health. There are various options, such as pancakes, cheese, or thin pasta. Other options are wheat cream, oatmeal, and rice pudding. But make sure they do not require too much chewing.
Vegetables
Vegetables can never be neglected even if you have undergone a root canal procedure. However, only soft veggies are an option. Juicy or mashes cauliflower served at room temperature is an ideal option. The less chewing, the better.
Foods to avoid
There are some foods that you need to avoid. These foods can prolong your recovery time or even cause infection in the extraction area or prosthetic work. Therefore, it is crucial to note which foods can wait until you fully recover from your oral surgery.
Generally, the following foods can be harmful during recovery:
· Spicy and acidic foods, which can cause irritation and pain
· Alcoholic beverages are more likely to affect the pain-relieving medications negatively
· Seeds, which can stick in the surgical area
· Popcorns, nuts, chips, and other hard-to-chew foods that can prolong the healing process.
Furthermore, you should avoid using tobacco for at least 72 hours after having oral surgery. Tobacco can severely complicate your post-surgery care and healing time.
Also, avoid using a straw, as the suction can cause a painful oral condition called dry socket.
Slowly Returning to Normal Diet
Your dentist or oral surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to start adding crunchy or hard foods like cereals, chips, etc. But that has to be gradual. Furthermore, the time varies from case to case and the nature of oral surgery. Follow your aftercare instructions to keep your mouth healthy during the healing process.