The third molar, called the wisdom tooth, often appears between the ages of 17-25. While it is a common occurrence, sometimes it may grow unnaturally, turning lateral or diagonal during growth. This causes pain and discomfort, and can also lead to infections or overcrowding of teeth.
However, it can be surgically removed with minimal dental procedure to alleviate the pain, discomfort, and other side effects. Post-surgery, the operated area might take around a week to heal, and this situation demands certain dietary restrictions to avoid discomfort. This blog provides a list of nutritious soft foods that can be eaten after getting your wisdom tooth removed.
After wisdom teeth are surgically removed, the healing of the operated site takes some time. This includes the healing of bone, tissues, and sutures. Eating certain hard and chewy foods can disrupt this healing process and call for medical emergencies.
Thus, it is often suggested to eat soft and nutritious food to help your wound heal and also fill in for lost nutrients. Soft food provides ease of chewing, reduces irritation, and promotes easy healing.
Smoothies are a delicious meal option for post-dental surgery patients. Often made with fruits paired with yogurt or protein powder, they provide complete nutritional value and help avoid vitamin deficiency due to diet restrictions. It is suggested to use soft, less sour, and seedless fruits in the smoothies, and add yogurt, honey, and protein powder to make it healthier.
Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates and important nutrients and are easy to digest while providing instant energy. You can opt for regular or sweet potatoes, boiled, mashed, and combined with basic seasonings that are easy to chew and swallow. You can also experiment with spices as per your taste to have something savory and easy to eat.
Khichdi is usually the best dish to consume during all kinds of illness and recovery phases. A traditional mix of rice, lentils, and optional spices provides the nutrients required for speedy recovery.
Prepare the khichdi with extra water to give it a soft and mushy texture that does not require too much chewing and can be consumed easily. Consider adding ghee for extra nutrition and flavor. However, skip the spices if your wound is unhealed, as they can irritate the area.
Curd is rich in probiotics and nutrients that can be beneficial after surgery. Consuming plain or flavored curd does not require chewing and can quickly satisfy your hunger. However, it is recommended to avoid curd with fruit or dry fruit chunks that might irritate your wound. Also, avoid those with artificial preservatives and sweeteners, which can have negative effects on the body.
Scrambled eggs are a great and tasty source of protein. Depending on your preferences, you can experiment with various varieties of scrambled eggs while avoiding hard ingredients like nuts. You can try adding milk, cheese, or cream while cooking the eggs on low heat. This makes the scrambled eggs softer, creamier, easy to eat, and delicious for better recovery.
Soups and broths are hydrating yet nutritious additions to your post-surgery diet. You can try soups made from pureed vegetables, or any hard food you cannot chew can be made into a broth, which can be used to make a soup. These are easy to make, easy to digest, and can be a quick fix against hunger. Hard chunks of vegetables or meat should be left out while making a soup or broth.
Upma, made from semolina and spices, is a great addition to the diet post-dental surgeries that is easy on teeth and gums and fills your tummy well. However, there should not be any hard ingredients, and it should be cooked to a soft texture, with all vegetables added to it also being softly cooked.
Semolina can also be used to prepare a sweet pudding that is energy-efficient, easy to prepare, and comfortable to consume. To prepare Suji Halwa with a soft consistency, make sure to add more milk and cook it until even. It is also essential to maintain the amount of sugar in it to avoid any cavities caused by sugar deposition in the teeth.
Idlis are a staple food in many parts of the country and are easy to prepare. Soft idlis can be consumed after wisdom tooth removal, as they are gentle on the teeth and gums. To make idlis softer, ferment them for a while longer than it is normally done, but not too long as it can result in spoiled batter.
Also, the batter should not be too thick as it makes them lose their softness. However, too much spice in the chutney or sambhar served with Idli should be avoided, and it should be kept mild to avoid oral irritation.
Avocado is a rich source of fats and vitamins, which are highly required for healing oral tissues. Avocado can be mashed and consumed, or included in smoothies or scrambled eggs to improve the taste and nutritional value of your diet.
Sticking to a soft-food diet is very important after the surgical removal of wisdom teeth. It helps avoid any trauma to the operated area and the associated pain. It is also necessary to avoid spicy or sour food as it may cause irritation and delay healing.
However, you must consult your dentist regarding the diet for a personalized plan tailored to your needs and preferences. After the surgery, it is important to include such food in your diet that makes up for any lost nutrition and promotes recovery.
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