Patients who are well prepared for savage oral surgery typically experience a quicker and more successful recovery. Your nutrition and dietary needs following oral surgery can depend on multiple factors including your health before the procedure, the procedure you are undergoing, oral function impact and expected recovery.A liquid or soft foods diet is commonly required for a few days or longer following oral surgery. It is recommended to choose nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein. These types of foods provide vitamins and nutrients required for your mouth to heal.
A soft food diet may be suggested by your oral surgeon following the below procedures:
- Root Canal
- Tooth Extraction (including Wisdom Teeth)
- Dental Implants
- Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery
These types of procedures frequently require patients to stick to soft foods and avoid biting or chewing with the tooth or area for a period of time. As an example, theAmerican Association of Endodontists recommend that patients avoid biting down or chewing following a root canal until the tooth has been restored and a crown has been placed.
The following list includes some examples of soft food items which can be consumed following oral surgery such as the removal of Wisdom Teeth or the placement of a Dental Implant. Immediately following treatment, your mouth and jaw can be quite sore. Focus on consuming a variety of nutritious foods which don’t require chewing.
- Hearty vegetable soups (cream of asparagus, lentil, minestrone, split pea)
- Juices (cranberry, apple, grape)
- Herbal Tea
- Jell-O
- Sorbet and yogurt (soft or frozen)
- Pudding or custard
- Soft, ripe fruits (banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches or pears)
- Applesauce
- Popsicles
- Ice cream or milkshakes
- Fresh cooked vegetables (carrots, squash, green beans, spinach and other greens)
- Fruit smoothies or protein shakes
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat (make with milk in order to boost nutrition)
- Eggs (scrambled, soft boiled or egg salad )
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice, couscous, quinoa or bulgur
- Tofu
- Pasta and noodles (plain, buttered or with sauce )
- Fish (soft white fish, sole, trout or salmon)
- Soft cheeses
- Cottage cheese
- Meatloaf
- Tortillas (soften by microwaving or steaming)
- Soft-cooked, shredded chicken and meat
- Baked or canned fruit (apples or peaches)
- Peanut or alternative nut butter
- Chicken or tuna salad
- Refried or mashed canned beans
- Avocado
- Pancakes
- Soft bread
- Hummus
The temperature of food and beverage, both hot and cold, is also important to consider. As an example, consuming hot drinks while healing from wisdom tooth removal can irritate gum tissue and complicate the recovery process. Focus on consuming items that are warm instead of piping hot. In addition, it’s best to stick to colder foods, such as yogurt, until your oral surgeon allows you to expand your dietary options.
It is important to avoid the following foods for the first week following surgery as they can cause pain and delayed healing:
- Spicy foods
- Citrus juices
- Foods that are difficult to chew (steak and deli meats)
- Crunchy foods (popcorn, pretzels and potato chips)
- Crusty breads, bagels, cookies
- Alcoholic beverages
On the day of surgery, it is recommended to start with clear fluids (juices, broth, tea and Jell-O). As the recovery progresses, you can slowly introduce more substantial foods.
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