Following oral surgery of any kind, you probably aren't going to be able to chew an ounce of food. This is going to be due to the pain and/or swelling. If you've never undergone an oral surgery before, then you need to familiarize yourself with the types of foods that you can and should eat. Read on to learn more, along with some specific food options at the end.
What Fluids You Should Drink
Your first option should always be water. However, sometimes you just need something with a little flavor. In order to speed up tissue repair, you should consider fluid options that contain lots of Vitamin C. One of the best options here would be prune juice since it is high in this particular vitamin and also works to relieve constipation, which could be brought on by your pain medications. At all costs, you should avoid sugary drinks, such as soda and sweetened tea.
Why Dairy Products Are Important
You probably know that yogurt, milk and cheese are all good for your overall dental health. They are rich in various vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy as well as calcium, which is good for strengthening bones and teeth. These products are great for use after surgery, as long as you choose the unsweetened and low-fat options. Research suggests that anything with Vitamin D, such as milk and most dairy products, will help the healing post-surgery. In fact, this research suggests that Vitamin D deficiency could actually negatively affect the outcome of the surgery.
Don't Forget to Consume Plenty of Lean Proteins
The body needs protein in order repair cells and create brand new ones, which is important after oral surgery. Some proteins you will need to avoid until you've recovered because they require chewing, but there are plenty of soft options that you can eat. One of the best options would be scrambled eggs, but you could also eat bean dip and nut butters. If you're dying for some chicken or lean beef, throw it in the blender so that it can have that soft food consistency. You do want to try to avoid processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs since they are high in salts, sugars, fat and various chemical preservatives.
Some Specific Soft Food Options
Here are some options of a few specific things that you can eat right after your surgery:
Ultimately, immediately after surgery, you are going to likely rest. When you wake up, you need to only eat soft foods that don't requiring chewing. This is not only to reduce your own pain, but it is also to ensure that your mouth heals properly. Your best bets food-wise are going to be the ones mentioned above. If you are concerned about a certain food, speak to your dentist before the surgery to get his or her approval. The last thing you want is to have to go in for a second surgery because you ate something you shouldn't have.
To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Family First Dentistry LLC.
Share13 June 2015
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.