After oral surgery, we recommend you only eat a soft, bland diet to avoid any problems with your recovery. Liquids and soft foods work best to keep you satisfied and allow you to tolerate prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Moreover, the reason for staying on a soft diet after oral surgery is to allow the site to heal and prevent food particles from interfering with the clotting process.
Your diet will depend on how your recovery is progressing and what type of surgery you had. While we recommend not to add hard foods for at least the first few days, resuming a regular diet will depend on you. Eating only soft foods over an extended period should not be a problem.
Guidelines for a Soft Diet
If you are being good and are following our recommendations for eating your soft diet after oral surgery, you may be getting tired of having pudding and applesauce. We want you to know there are other options. It is essential to eat all the nutrients you need while recovering from surgery, but it’s difficult to do so with these restrictions.
The first few days are the most challenging ones, because most patients, once they start to feel better, get hungry and frustrated since they can’t eat the foods they want. It is essential to stay away from hard foods to promote healing and avoid the dislodging of dry sockets.
Some guidelines we can offer for a successful and balanced, soft diet are:
| • | Keep it simple |
| • | Eat a variety of foods |
| • | Look for foods with protein |
| • | Take supplements |
| • | Make or buy vegetable soups |
| • | Drink natural fruit juices |
| • | Cook rice or noodles until they are very soft |
| • | Don’t forget the calcium and drink milk or eat yogurts and cheese |
With these tips, you can successfully remain on a balanced, soft diet until your pain subsides. By the end of the first week, following surgery, you should be able to eat a regular diet. Listen to your body and if you feel up to it, resume your regular diet slowly. Let us know if you have any questions.