Reviewed By Dr. Robert Barron, DMD
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Recovering from dental surgery requires care, patience, and the right diet.
Soft foods post dental surgery are important to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.
This blog will provide a detailed list of 50 soft foods to eat after dental surgery.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Eating soft foods after dental surgery is essential to protect healing tissues, prevent complications like dry socket, and provide the nutrients your body needs to recover.
Why Soft Foods Are Essential After Dental Surgery
After dental surgery, your mouth needs time to heal. The surgical areas are delicate and require special care to avoid irritation or setbacks in recovery.
Soft foods are your best friend during this time because they minimize strain on the healing tissue and lower the risk of dislodging blood clots.
These clots are vital for protecting the surgical site and ensuring proper healing. Choosing gentle, easy-to-eat foods will support your recovery and help you avoid unnecessary pain or complications like dry socket.
Soft foods offer several benefits:
- Gentle on sensitive tissues: Soft foods with a smooth texture are gentle on surgical sites and gum tissue.
- Essential nutrients: A balanced diet with nutrient-dense foods promotes faster healing and supports oral health.
- Reduced risk of complications: A soft food diet prevents damage to the wound and helps the recovery process.
Common Types of Oral Surgery and Healing Timelines
Oral surgeries affect your mouth in different ways, but all involve disruption to your gum tissue, bone, or teeth.
These procedures require specific care to allow your mouth to heal without irritation or complications.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth leaves open sockets where the teeth were extracted.
These areas are sensitive and need time to form blood clots, which act as protective barriers for healing. Disrupting these clots can lead to pain or infection.
Dental Implants
Dental implants involve inserting a titanium post into your jawbone.
This requires the bone to integrate with the implant through a process called osseointegration. Any pressure or irritation during this stage can affect stability and prolong healing.
Other Oral Surgeries
Procedures like alveoloplasty, sinus lifts, or bone grafting involve reshaping or augmenting your bone and tissues.
These surgeries create temporary trauma in your mouth, requiring careful aftercare to avoid infection or prolonged discomfort.
50 Soft Foods To Eat After Dental Surgery
Soft foods allow your mouth to heal without irritation, helping you avoid dry socket or delayed healing.
Here is a comprehensive list to guide you through your recovery period.
Blended Soups and Broths
- Creamy tomato soup
- Butternut squash soup
- Chicken broth
- Lentil soup
- Miso soup
- Potato leek soup
- Carrot ginger soup
Mashed and Pureed Vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Sweet potato puree
- Cauliflower mash
- Pumpkin puree
- Mashed peas
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
- Greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Soft ricotta cheese
- Ice cream
- Creamy milk pudding
- Soft tofu
Cold Appetizers and Snacks
- Hummus
- Baba ghanoush
- Guacamole
- Applesauce
- Chilled avocado soup
Fruits and Desserts
- Banana puree
- Smoothie bowls (blended fruits, no toppings)
- Mango lassi
- Poached pears
- Gelato or sorbet
- Jello
Grain-Based Soft Foods
- Polenta
- Risotto (soft, no al dente texture)
- Oatmeal or porridge
- Semolina pudding
- Cream of wheat
- Soft rice pudding
Protein Options
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft poached eggs
- Blended chicken or turkey soup
- Smooth pate
- Blended bean puree
International Cuisine-Inspired Options
- Congee
- Dal
- Shakshuka
- Matzah ball soup
- Chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard.)
- Rice noodles (boiled and served in broth)
Sweet Treats
- Cheesecake
- Soft Mochi
- Custard
- Flan
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
Here are some easy and delicious recipes that use items from our list to help you enjoy your soft food diet while ensuring proper healing after dental surgery:
Mashed potatoes with olive oil
- Ingredients: Potatoes, olive oil, a pinch of salt.
- Instructions: Boil peeled potatoes until tender, mash them until smooth, and add a drizzle of olive oil for a creamy texture. This dish is a great source of energy and nutrients for recovery.
Cottage cheese and soft fruit bowl
- Ingredients: Cottage cheese and mashed peaches or soft fruits.
- Instructions: Mix cottage cheese with mashed or blended soft fruits for a refreshing and protein-rich meal. The combination supports the healing process while providing essential nutrients.
Pureed lentil soup
- Ingredients: Red lentils, chicken broth, olive oil, a pinch of turmeric.
- Instructions: Simmer lentils in chicken broth until soft, blend into a smooth soup, and drizzle olive oil for extra flavor. Lentils are an excellent source of protein for tissue repair.
Frozen yogurt and banana smoothie
- Ingredients: Frozen yogurt, banana puree, low-sugar yogurt.
- Instructions: Blend frozen yogurt with banana puree and a dollop of low-sugar yogurt for a creamy and cooling dessert. This option soothes a sensitive mouth and adds essential nutrients.
Warm polenta with creamy tomato sauce
- Ingredients: Polenta, creamy tomato soup, Parmesan cheese.
- Instructions: Cook polenta until soft, mix with creamy tomato soup, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan for a warm, hearty meal.
Foods to Avoid
To ensure a smooth recovery process, steer clear of the following:
- Crunchy foods: Chips, popcorn, and nuts can dislodge blood clots.
- Sticky foods: Caramel and taffy can stick to surgical sites.
- Spicy foods: They can irritate sensitive tissues.
- Hot foods or beverages: These may disrupt blood clotting.
- Acidic foods: Citrus fruits or orange juice can irritate wounds.
FAQs
Can I eat bread after tooth extraction?
Avoid hard or crust bread for at least a week. Opt for soft bread like white or brown bread.
What are things to avoid after tooth extraction?
Avoid eating crunchy foods, raw vegetables, hot beverages, and foods with small seeds. Do not use a straw to drink as this can dislodge the blood clot and cause a dry socket.
Can I drink orange juice after oral surgery?
It is best to avoid acidic juices like orange juice for the first few days as they can irritate the surgical site. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
How long should I follow a soft food diet?
Most patients need soft foods for 3-5 days, but for procedures like dental implants, this can extend to several weeks. Avoid eating crunchy food stuffs such as popcorn or seeds for at least 4 weeks following surgery to avoid developing infection from food impaction in surgical sites.
Book a Consultation at Our Oral Surgery Office in Vaughan, ON
If you require oral surgery and are searching for a qualified oral surgeon in the York Region, we can help.
Our oral surgery, Dr. Robert Barron, DMD, is a member of the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He specializes in general oral surgery, dental implant surgery and bone grafting procedures.
To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Vaughan, call (905) 669-2616 or complete the appointment request form. We are located at 3300 Highway 7 West, Suite 805, Vaughan, ON.