30 Jul

8 Soft Foods You Can Eat After Oral Surgery

If you eat anything other than soft foods after a tooth extraction, you could end up back in the dentist chair! The right diet gives your body the resources it needs to recover quickly. At Lifetime Family Dental, we would like to help ease as much of your post-surgery discomfort as we can. After an oral surgery procedure, try eating these following eight soft foods to ensure a smooth recovery. 

Eight Soft Foods You Can Eat After Oral Surgery

1. Soups and Broths

Both broths and soups are excellent post-surgery choices for liquid and soft-food diets. Consuming liquids after surgery helps you stay hydrated so you can recover faster. Soups and broths are also full of important nutrients that aid your recovery. 

Make sure your soup or broth is room-temperature or cooler before eating, and that it doesn’t contain chunks of solid food. Avoiding hot foods and reducing chewing will prevent irritation and damage to your mouth after dental surgery.

2. Applesauce

Since applesauce requires minimal chewing, it’s a great option that is easy on your jaw. Applesauce is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, which both help fight gum disease and are essential to a nutritional diet. Too much sugar can cause tooth decay, so try making applesauce at home in a blender to reduce the sugar content.

3. Mashed Bananas

Although bananas are already soft, mashing them up makes them easier to eat by making less work for your jaw. Bananas provide plenty of vitamins and minerals for a healthy recovery, including potassium, folate, and manganese. Bananas are also the perfect ingredient for smoothies.

4. Smoothies

Depending on what you blend together, a smoothie can replace a whole meal. Protein powder, fruits, vegetables, and yogurt are all great ingredients for nutrient-rich smoothies. Just make sure to use seedless fruits and vegetables so you won’t get seeds caught between your teeth or in other parts of your mouth. Enjoy your smoothies with a spoon—not a straw—in order to prevent complications after surgery.

5. Yogurt

Smooth, creamy yogurt is easy on a sore mouth. Greek yogurt is high in protein, which helps you heal more quickly. Yogurt can also make it easier to take any necessary medication that is difficult to swallow after surgery. However, avoid yogurt with granola, fruit chunks, or any other ingredient that you have to chew. 

6. Cottage Cheese

Like yogurt, cottage cheese is easy to eat and full of protein and calcium. Because cottage cheese is low in calories and packed with nutrients, it’s a nice light food for a comfortable recovery. Top cottage cheese on other soft foods from your post-surgery list or simply enjoy it on its own. 

7. Mashed Potatoes

Don’t forget to incorporate some comfort food into your post-surgery diet. Mashed potatoes are full of fiber to help ease your recovery. A cool, smooth consistency is best for your healing mouth. However, since starch is another culprit of tooth decay, you should limit your intake. 

8. Scrambled Eggs

Soft scrambled eggs are a great source of the protein you need during recovery. Scrambling eggs makes them easier to eat and provides a perfect breakfast option after surgery. Try adding some cottage cheese for even richer nutrient content.  

Dental Care in Gilbert, AZ

There’s more to maintaining your oral health after surgery than eating soft foods. Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert provides quality dental care that keeps your oral health in top shape. We help our patients maintain bright and healthy teeth with professional cleanings and a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental services. Call 480-558-4331 today to learn more.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/30/2021). Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels