Oral surgery can leave your mouth feeling sore and swollen. You may wonder when you can start eating normally again. The answer depends on the type of surgery you had.
General Guidelines for Eating After Oral Surgery
Here are some general guidelines for eating after common oral surgery procedures:
- Extractions – Stick to soft, cool foods for the first 24-48 hours. Avoid very hot or spicy foods that could irritate the extraction site.
- Implants – Follow your surgeon’s specific instructions, but you’ll likely be on a soft food diet for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
- Root canal – You can generally resume your normal diet soon after the numbing medication wears off.
- Crown or filling – Normal diet can be resumed once the numbing medication has worn off.
- Wisdom tooth removal – Start with liquids and soft foods, then gradually add more solid foods over a week as your mouth heals.
- Jaw surgery – Your surgeon will provide detailed post-op diet instructions. Expect a liquid or pureed diet for 4-6 weeks.
Keep in mind that every patient heals differently. Work closely with your oral surgeon and follow their personalized instructions for eating after your procedure.
Eating After Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions leave the extraction site vulnerable while it heals. What you eat and drink after a tooth extraction can impact healing and recovery time. Here are some tips for eating after a tooth extraction:
First 24 Hours
For the first day after having a tooth pulled, stick to cool liquids like water, juice, ice pops, popsicles, ice cream, or smoothies. Avoid using a straw as the suction can dislodge the blood clot. Hot drinks like coffee or tea can also disturb the clot.
24-48 Hours
After the first 24 hours, you can begin adding in soft, mild foods as tolerated. Some good options include:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce or pureed fruits
- Mashed potatoes
- Broth or soup
- Jello
- Pudding
- Oatmeal
- Milkshakes
Avoid very hot or spicy foods that could irritate the extraction site. Continue to avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, straws, tobacco, and crunchy chips or crackers.
3 Days to 1 Week
As you enter day 3-7 after the extraction, you can begin reintroducing soft, solid foods. Stick to foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Some good options include:
- Eggs
- Well-cooked pasta
- Fish
- Tender chicken or meat
- Cooked vegetables
- Cottage cheese
Avoid chewing food directly over the extraction site by favoring the opposite side of your mouth. Continue to avoid hard, crunchy, or sharp foods that could get stuck in the socket.
After 1 Week
Within 7-10 days, you should be able to return to eating firmer foods. The extraction site should be closed over with tissue by this time. Use your judgment and ease back into your normal diet over the course of a week.
Let pain be your guide – if anything causes sharp pain or discomfort around the extraction site, avoid it until healing is complete. Some sensitivity or minor pain can be expected, especially when chewing on the affected side.
Eating After Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implants require careful post-op care to support healing and integration with the bone. Follow your surgeon’s detailed instructions, but you can expect to be on a soft food diet for at least 2 weeks after implant placement surgery.
First 24 Hours
Limit yourself to liquids like water, juice, broth, popsicles, jello, and shakes. Avoid hot drinks or foods. Don’t use a straw for the first 24 hours.
First Week
Transition to soft, mild foods after the first 24 hours. Recommended foods include:
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Mashed bananas or applesauce
- Mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables
- Cottage cheese
- Soft cooked eggs
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Milkshakes
Do not chew directly on the implant site. Cut food into small pieces and chew on the opposite side if possible.
2 Weeks
After 2 weeks, you may be able to try soft solid foods like pasta, fish, chicken, or cooked vegetables. Your surgeon may recommend sticking to soft foods for 4-6 weeks if you had bone grafting done along with the implant.
Avoid any hard, crunchy, orsharp foods that could damage the implant site. Don’t try chewing gum or sticky foods like caramels.
6-8 Weeks
By 6-8 weeks, the implant should be well integrated with the bone. Your surgeon will let you know when you can resume your normal diet. Work your way back to tougher foods gradually over a week or two.
Eating After Root Canal Treatment
With a root canal, an infected or damaged pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned, filled and sealed. Mild sensitivity is common after a root canal. You can generally resume normal eating once the numbness wears off, but take a few precautions:
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until tenderness subsides.
- Stick to soft foods until any anesthetic numbness has completely worn off so you don’t bite your lip or cheek.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine as needed for residual soreness.
- Rinse with warm salt water to keep the area clean.
Within a few days, you should be able to return to your regular diet. See your dentist promptly if you have any concerns like pain, swelling, or changes in your bite.
Eating After Getting a Filling or Crown
Getting a routine dental filling or crown placement does not limit eating. You can typically resume normal eating as soon as numbness from any anesthetic wears off. A few tips:
- Avoid eating until full sensation returns so you don’t bite your tongue or lips.
- Start with soft foods and drink cool liquids until numbness subsides.
- Sensitivity or mild soreness is common after fillings and crowns. Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean.
Use the restored tooth normally, but see your dentist if you have hot/cold sensitivity that persists beyond a few days. This may require an adjustment to the filling or crown.
Eating After Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that leaves your mouth vulnerable as it heals. Follow these dietary guidelines based on recovery stage:
First 24 Hours
Stick to cool liquids. Water, ice chips, popsicles, ice cream, yogurt drinks, and smoothies are good options. Don’t use straws or drink hot liquids.
24-48 Hours
Try adding in soft, mild pureed foods like applesauce, mashed bananas, avocado, scrambled eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, milkshakes, smoothies, and soups.
3-7 Days
Begin working in soft solid foods like pasta, fish, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, baked chicken breast, and soft fruits cut into small pieces. Avoid chewing directly on the surgery sites.
After 1 Week
You should be able to get back to a more normal diet after a week. Start slowly with soft options and work your way back up to tougher items like nuts, chips, and raw veggies. Use pain as your guide.
Let your surgeon know if you have concerns about bleeding, intense pain, swelling, fever, nausea, or poor healing.
Eating After Jaw Surgery
Procedures like corrective jaw surgery or TMJ surgery impact your ability to open your mouth and chew. Follow your surgeon’s detailed post-op instructions, but you can expect:
- First week – Liquid diet of water, smoothies, milkshakes, broth.
- Weeks 2-4 – Pureed soup, applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, mashed fruits and vegetables.
- Weeks 5-6 – Soft foods like pasta, fish, chopped chicken, rice, cooked vegetables.
- After week 6 – You can likely resume a normal diet, but take your time and gradually reintroduce tougher foods.
Your jaw will be stiff, tight, and limited in motion as you heal. Eat slowly, take small bites, and rest between meals. Don’t overdo it too soon to avoid hindering your recovery.
General Tips for Eating After Oral Surgery
Here are some tips to keep in mind for eating and drinking after any oral surgery or tooth procedure:
- Stick to cool temperatures – Hot foods or drinks could irritate the surgery site.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids. Opt for cool water, juice, broth, milkshakes.
- Don’t use straws – The suction can dislodge blood clots after extractions.
- Eat soft foods first – Gradually transition from liquids to purees to soft foods.
- Avoid chewing directly on surgery sites – Favor the opposite side.
- Take pain relievers as needed – Over-the-counter medicines can help with post-op discomfort.
- Practice good oral hygiene – Gentle brushing, rinsing after meals.
- See your dentist if problems arise – Excessive pain, bleeding, swelling, fever warrant a follow-up.
Pay close attention to your surgeon’s instructions following any oral procedure or surgery. With proper care and adherence to post-op dietary guidelines, you can support safe healing and get back to eating the foods you love.
Conclusion
The timeline for resuming your normal diet after oral surgery depends on the type of procedure you had. General guidelines range from 24 hours for routine fillings to 4-6 weeks for extensive surgery like implants or jaw realignment. Work slowly up from cool liquids to soft foods to your regular diet as your mouth heals. Let pain and discomfort guide you, and avoid anything that causes irritation at the surgery site. See your dentist right away if excessive bleeding, pain, swelling or other complications arise during your recovery. Closely following your surgeon’s post-op instructions and gradually progressing your diet will support safe healing and help you get back to eating the foods you enjoy.