Not sure what to eat after wisdom teeth extraction or a dental implant procedure? Get hungry.
Whether you are a teenager undergoing wisdom teeth extraction or grinning into your golden years with a full-smile treatment, one thing is true regardless of age: you still need to eat after oral surgery. So what’s on the menu? The hard truth is you will need to stick to soft foods while you heal.
The good news is there are still plenty of great things you can eat following oral surgery. Considering the procedure itself will (literally) be as painful as pulling teeth, you can treat yourself to some soft, cool options like sorbet, pudding and even cheesecake. That said, maintaining a balanced diet packed with nutrients promotes healing so be sure to include easy-to-swallow healthy items like scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and yoghurt — and drink lots and lots of water.
If you’re not sure what you can eat after oral surgery, remember that anything involving too much chewing can irritate your wounds and slow down healing. Additionally, if you have had a tooth extraction (like wisdom teeth removal), don’t use straws as they can dislodge blood clots and lead to an extremely painful condition called dry socket. Also, avoid foods that are too hot, too cold, spicy, acidic, crunchy, have little bits that can get stuck in wounds (think: seeds), chewy or tough.
Pro tip: the best way to ensure you have a smooth recovery is by being prepared. We recommend stocking up on soft foods ahead of time. Start your shopping list by reading Seaforth Oral Surgery’s options for what to eat after oral surgery below.
The best foods to eat after oral surgery
Apple sauce
An applesauce a day keeps the dentist away. While whole apples should be avoided they are tough to chew and the skin can stuck in wounds, these fruits are packed with vitamin C to boost your immune system while you heal.
Avocado
Millennials rejoice! The fruit of the generation, avocados, is smooth, creamy and nutritious — packed with vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium. Slice one up or fill a half with hummus for extra protein and heartiness.
Bananas
It is frankly… well, bananas how good these fruit are for you. One of the best things to eat after wisdom teeth extraction, they are soft, easy to chew and packed with vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin B6, manganese and folate. Make your bananas even easier to swallow by mashing them up.
Cheesecake
Oral surgery is no slice of cake — but you can have cheesecake, as long as the crust isn’t hard or chewy. Plus, it’s nice and cool, which will be soothing on your gums. Just remember many recipes are low in nutritious value and high in sugar, so don’t go overboard.
Eggs
Not only are eggs packed with high-quality protein and rich in vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fats, but you can make them in a million ways that are safe to eat after oral surgery. You can make poached eggs, scrambled eggs, devilled eggs, egg salad — just make sure they’re not too hot!
Ice cream or sorbet
Cold desserts like ice cream and sorbet are great while you heal as their low chilliness soothe wounds and minimize swelling. Just remember to go for a cup instead of a cone, avoid sprinkles and varieties with chunks in them, and opt for types with less sugar.
Instant oatmeal
A childhood favourite, instant oatmeal is the perfect nostalgic nosh a few days after your wisdom teeth extraction or dental implant oral surgery. While it’s soft, it does have little bits of oat that can irritate healing wounds. Also, don’t forget to let it cool down first.
Macaroni and cheese
Soft noodle dishes like macaroni and cheese can offer a hearty meal while healing from oral surgery. That said, you should wait a few days before attempting them as they do involve some chewing.
Jello
Two words: Treat. Yourself.
Mashed potatoes, cauliflower and pumpkin
Mashed potatoes are smooth and creamy, and are an easy way to get a lot of calories and nutrients at once. If you want to go for a lighter, better-for-you option, opt for mashed cauliflower or pumpkin. Be sure everything is pureed well and there are no chunks left.
Salmon
Carnivores can breathe a sigh of relief. Salmon is a soft, easy to chew fish swimming in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing. It’s probably best to wait a few days following surgery before jumping into this dish though.
Smoothies and shakes
An easy way to get a serving of fruit and vegetables is to blend them into a smoothie or a shake. Add a dollop of protein powder or creamy yoghurt to speed up healing and feel fuller, though avoid using a straw as this can lead to dry socket following wisdom teeth removal.
Soup
A soup-er delicious dish while you heal is a bowl of soup. Smooth, blended options like tomato or pumpkin are packed with veggie nutrients and can be hydrating. While it’s always tempting to heat up some chicken noodle when you’re sick, you shouldn’t after oral surgery to avoid the chunks of chicken and vegetables. As always, let your soup cool down first — or go for gazpacho instead!
Now that you know what to eat after oral surgery, it’s time to book your procedure! Schedule a consultation today with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons at Seaforth Oral Surgery in Montreal and we’ll be happy to serve up the expertise you need to make an informed decision.
