Recovery from oral surgery involves some special care, primarily with your diet: it’s necessary to stimulate healing and avoid discomfort. At Wolf Willow Orchid Dental in SE Calgary, we understand that proper nutrition following oral surgery is crucial for recovery and maintenance of oral health. In this article, we are going to outline the foods you should consume, the ones you should avoid, how you can control the discomfort caused by the surgery, and general guidelines to follow in the postoperative period.
Importance of Diet After Oral Surgery
Oral surgery can be, for instance, the removal of wisdom teeth, dental implants, or gum surgery. After undergoing the dental procedure, the mouth will require some time to heal. In this aspect, the consumption of a nourishing diet is very essential in:
Wound Healing: It helps promote tissue repair and decreases inflammation.
Complications Fruiting: Nutrition ensures the chances of developing complications such as infection are lowered.
Maintaining Oral Health: Choose healthy foodstuffs to ensure that your teeth and gums do not deteriorate as they heal.
What to Eat After Oral Surgery
1. Soft Foods
Example: Applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, pudding, and scrambled eggs.
Why: There’s no rigorous chewing of these types of foodstuffs to enable proper healing around the surgical area.
2. Cool or Room Temperature Foods
Examples: Jello, ice cream (without nuts or crunchy toppings), and lukewarm soups.
Why: Cold foods can be applied as a pain-numbing process, and room-temperature foods avoid the feeling of being sensitive.
3. High-Protein Foods
Examples: Mashed cooked meats, beans, tofu, and protein drinks.
Why: Protein helps the body reconstruct tissues to rebuild itself and supports its immune functions.
4. Hydrating Foods
Examples: Water, herbal teas, and diluted juices
Why: Hydration in the healing process aids and facilitates the removal of toxins in the system.
5. Nutrient-Rich Foods
Examples: Mushy fruits such as bananas, avocados, and steamed vegetables such as carrots and spinach.
Why: Vitamins and minerals aid in the healing process and improve immunity.
Foods to Avoid After Oral Surgery
1. Crunchy and Hard Foods
Includes: Nuts, chips, pretzels, and raw vegetables
Why: Crunchy foods may irritate the surgical site and cause discomfort.
2. Sour Foods
Includes: Hot sauces, peppers, or spicy seasonings
Why: Your spicier foods may irritate and therefore worsen the pain.
3. Acidic Foods and Drinks
Includes: Citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons and carbonated drinks.
Why: Acidic foods can irritate sensitive tissues and delay healing.
4. Seeds and Small Grains
Examples: Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and rice.
Why: Small particles can become embedded in the surgical area, causing pain and infection
5. Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Why: Alcohol and tobacco slow healing, promote complications, and allow for negative oral health concerns
Tips for Managing Discomfort
1. Use Cold Compresses
Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and numb pain.
2. Take Prescribed Medications
Take the prescribed drugs as advised by your dentist, such as pain relief and antibiotics in case of an infection
3. Oral Hygiene
Rinse salt water or an antibiotic mouthwash as recommended by your dentist to clear the surgical area of infection
4. rest
Time to rest and reduce strenuous activities that can interfere with healing.
General Instructions for Oral Surgery Aftercare
1. Follow any specific instructions
Continue any special diet instructed by your dentist in SE Calgary or oral surgeon as recommended for your type of surgery
2. Fluid Intake
Continue drinking fluids throughout the day of surgery to aid in healing and prevent dehydration
3. Return to solids
Begin with liquids and soft foods soon after surgery, and then gradually resume your regular diet, as directed by your dentist.
Choosing good foods and maintaining good dietary management after oral surgery may contribute to increased comfort, lessened pain, and better post-operative health and well-being in the mouth. Wolf Willow Orchid Dental provides thoughtful care and personalized planning to ensure a smooth healing process after surgery in SE Calgary. If you have any concerns or questions about your post-operative diet, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call 403-604-6845.