Diet Suggestions

 After surgery it is important to stay well hydrated.  Clear liquids are a good place to start.  Once you comfortably have clear liquids down, you can progress to a more substantial diet.

It is very important to eat soft foods (foods that do not require much chewing).  A good indicator is if you can hear yourself chewing the food, it is probably too hard or too chewy.  No chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc… Stay away from crunchy, chewy, or small hard foods even when it is not uncomfortable to eat them.  Food particles can become lodged in the socket and prevent healing.  This would cause additional pain, swelling, and infection that can result in delayed healing time.  Below are a few examples of excellent post oral surgery foods.

Clear Liquids

• Apple Juice
• Ginger Ale
• 7 Up
• Gatorade
• Jello
• Clear Broth

Breakfast

• Pancakes                                                                Please Avoid: 
• French Toast                                                           Crunchy Cereals
• Oatmeal                                                                   Bacon
• Grits                                                                         Waffles
• Yogurt                                                                      Bagels
• Scrambled Eggs
• Cheese Omlets
• Biscuits & Gravy

Lunch

• Creamy Soups                                                        Please Avoid:               
• Tuna Salad Sandwich                                             Crusty Bread
• Egg Salad Sandwich                                               Chips
• Chicken Salad Sandwich                                         Nuts
• Creamy Peanut Butter & Jelly                                 Crunchy Crackers
• Hummus on Soft Pita Bread                                    Pretzels
• French Fries                                                           
• Polenta

Snack

• Banana with Peanut Butter                                    Please Avoid:
• Fruit Smoothie                                                       Drinking with a straw for 1 week after surgery
• Milk Shakes                                                           Popcorn
• Soft Fruit 
• Yogurt
• Boost or Ensure premixed drinks
• Ice Cream

Dinner

• Macaroni and Cheese                                            Please Avoid:
• Bean & Cheese Burrito                                          Chewy Meats
• Pasta (Spaghetti, Alfredo, or Garlic and Butter)    Salads 
• Mashed Potatoes                                                  Croutons
• Stuffing                                                                  Any food that requires to open your mouth wide
• Chicken and Dumplings
• Baked Potato/ Baked Sweet Potato