Our experienced oral surgeon provides excellent results and works to minimize the time required for your mouth to heal following surgery. However, any oral surgery will require you to take extra care of your mouth for at least a few days afterward. If you are preparing for oral surgery, it can be helpful to consider what kinds of foods to avoid and those you may want to have available during this period.

Foods that are hot, cold, spicy, or acidic can be painful for soft tissues during the healing process. Your mouth will be sensitive for the first few days. Foods that require a lot of chewing can cause bleeding, slower healing or even infection. Hard foods like chips can splinter in the mouth and cut into delicate gums. Drinking through a straw adds strain on your tissues and can be harmful. All these should be avoided during the first day or two, at least.

During your initial 24 hours, you will want to take extra care with what and how you eat. Stick with soft and mushy foods that do not require much work to chew. Here are some ideas to consider:

 Banana smoothies – while you should avoid straws, banana smoothies are tasty, filling, and contain valuable nutrition.
 Soft fruits – applesauce, mandarin orange slices in juice, and seedless watermelon are all easy to eat and taste great.
 Soups – warm (not hot) broths and soups help you maintain your strength as you heal. Select soups that do not have chunks that will need to be chewed.
 Mashed potatoes – soft, warm, and filling, mashed potatoes can help you feel as though you’ve eaten a meal. Try adding some shredded cheese for a jazzier dish.
 Puddings and gelatin – though you want to be careful of your sugar intake, puddings and flavored gelatin are a great way to get some needed calories, especially if you are experiencing soreness or stiffness during the initial hours after your surgery. Both are gentle on the stomach, as well as the mouth, making them a useful option.

For more suggestions on post-surgery care and eating, contact our office.

Below is a list of common oral surgery procedures. If you have any questions, or would like to know if you are an ideal candidate for any of these treatment options, please schedule an appointment with our team. We look forward to meeting you.

Dental Implants – Dental implants are a tooth replacement solution that looks and feels like your natural teeth. They can restore the function of your teeth and renew your appearance.

Bone Grafts – Extensive and prolonged tooth decay or gum disease can erode the jawbone. Additionally, the jawbone may not be properly formed. Bone grafting allows us to add bone mass to an area allowing for a solid foundation to prepare for furfure treatments.

Orthognathics – Orthoghathics is the process of realigning the jawbone.

Wisdom Teeth Extraction – Wisdom teeth require removal if they are impacted, as this can lead to discomfort and infection. Wisdom teeth may also be extracted as a preventive measure, as they are susceptible to decay because of their difficult-to-reach location.

TMJ Disorder Treatments – Clicking sounds in your jaw, jaw discomfort and pain while chewing, and even persistent headaches may be signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Our team can realign your jaw to correct this issue.

Nerve Repair – Accidents, injuries, or past dental work can leave your nerves in your face and mouth damaged. This can create feelings of tingling, numbness, and even pain. Our oral surgery team can utilize microsurgery to repair nerve damage. Contact our team and schedule a consultation today.