Patients that plan ahead for oral surgery normally end up experiencing a smoother, stress-free recovery than those that don’t. One of the ways that Orlando oral surgeon Ronald Trevisani recommends patients prepare for surgery and recovery is to buy and prepare foods to eat after surgery.
Although it is difficult to predict exactly how someone will feel after surgery, it’s reasonable to expect that the jaw may feel slightly sore or weak immediately following the procedure. In spite of this, it’s still important to nourish the body with nutritious foods as it recuperates from oral surgery.
Foods to Avoid
Dr. Trevisani asks his patients to avoid any foods that are sticky, crunchy or otherwise hard to chew. This includes raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Spicy foods should also be avoided because they can irritate the mouth, causing discomfort. Patients that have a tooth extracted should not drink through a straw for several days after surgery, as the sucking motion can cause a complication known as dry socket.
Cool and Sweet Treats
Homemade or store-bought applesauce is a staple in many post-oral surgery diets. Along the same lines, fruit smoothies, milkshakes and ice cream are soothing to the mouth. Make sure the fruit smoothies don’t have any seeds, and the ice cream doesn’t have sprinkles or other hard or crunchy toppings. The smooth texture of yogurt is also ideal for patients recovering from oral surgery, because it’s light and easy to eat.
Some patients like Jell-O or flavored puddings. A mashed-up banana is also a sweet treat that offers nutritional value, too.
Warm and Savory Options
Warm, savory options are very comforting after oral surgery. A cup of chicken, beef or vegetable broth is tasty and satiating. Soups are fine, as long as they don’t have any big chunks of meat or vegetables that would need to be chewed — stick to options like tomato soup, cream of chicken or split pea soup. Mashed potatoes or soft scrambled eggs are nutritious and filling options. Eggs can also be mixed into egg salad, as long as there aren’t any chewy or crunchy chunks of celery or other vegetables in the salad.
If you are planning ahead for oral surgery and have questions about what you can or cannot eat after the procedure, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Trevisani’s office. Our staff can provide more recommendations and go over the guidelines in more detail. Please call or email us today.
