What Should I Eat after Oral Surgery?

Eating after oral surgery is complicated by pain and sensitivity in the mouth as well as general restrictions due to the risk of infection if stitches are opened up. Usually, patients are told not to eat anything spicy, chewy, or sharp, as well as to avoid very hot or cold foods. When choosing what to eat after oral surgery, it is important to think about the fact that eating nutritious food helps speed up recovery time. It might feel best to eat only sorbet, but very soft protein is necessary as well.

Most people feel that the best foods to eat after oral surgery are soft and slightly cold. This means that smoothies and sorbet are particularly great choices. A good way to make these cold, soft items more nutritious is to pack them with fresh fruits, additional fiber, and sometimes even protein powder. The body needs calories in order to recover, so it is not a good idea to diet right after surgery.

Very soft foods like eggs and rice can be great to eat after oral surgery if a person gets tired of a purely liquid diet. Some people find that foods that have already been pureed, like baby food, are both convenient and tasty. It is important to make sure that foods like these are prepared with a minimum amount of sticky pieces, as cleaning the mouth is often difficult.

Depending on a person's culinary preferences, there may be a number of foods that are naturally excellent to eat after oral surgery without any modifications. Miso soup is good as long as it is not too hot, as are many other mild soups. Asian soups with soft noodles are also excellent, but it is important to beware of spicy foods if eating out. Very soft meats, like pate or liverwurst, can also make an unusual treat.

With a little gentle experimentation, a person is often able to figure out which foods to avoid. Many people, for example, find yogurt that has fruit in it too painful or inconvenient to eat because of the pieces of fruit. In some cases, post-surgical care instructions can restrict food intake for up to a month of time after surgery, so variety is important. It is a good idea to make a recipe plan and keep a few meals on hand because the patient will not be able to eat as easily.

No matter what someone might read about what to eat after oral surgery, the dentist's instructions are paramount. Not all surgeries are equivalent, and there may be special reasons to avoid certain foods. Even if the restrictions on a person's diet get frustrating, it is important to be reasonable and restrained because disobeying post-surgical care instructions can be dangerous to a person's health.