Recovery Nutrition: Foods That Promote Healing After Oral Surgery

If you’re preparing for oral surgery, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about the hours and days that will follow your procedure, and how to best support your healing journey. At  Cannon Oral Surgery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, our team understands the anxieties that come with oral surgery. 

We also know just how powerful it can be to channel that energy into preparing for recovery. To that end, we’re here today to discuss optimal nutrition that can both nourish your body as it heals and prevent damage to the tissues surrounding the surgical site. 

Finding the right balance between nutrition and texture

When you’re recovering from oral surgery, getting the right blend of nutrients supports your body’s natural healing process. However, you also need to think about the texture of your food choices, as it’s essential to avoid damaging the tissues near your surgical site. 

Fortunately, there are many wonderful choices with readily available ingredients and easy to prepare. You can even make many in advance, giving you plenty of time to rest and relax after your procedure. 

Smoothies deliver a triple punch

One of the best food choices you can embrace as you recover from oral surgery is a smoothie. These blended drinks offer the chance to pack a lot of nutrition into an easy-to-drink package. 

As you look through smoothie recipes, search for options that include natural, unsweetened fruit. You can build in some dairy and protein by adding milk or a milk substitute, or a high-quality protein powder. Toss in some seeds and nuts if you like; the blender will pulverize them so small they won’t damage your gums. 

Not only are smoothies nutritious and easy on the gums, but they’re also cold, which can help minimize any swelling or discomfort that lingers after your surgery. 

Eggs hit all the bases for effective healing

Eggs are a great choice for fueling your recovery after oral surgery. Whether you prefer your eggs scrambled, over easy, or fried hard, they bring a protein boost to your meals. Protein is essential during healing, and it also helps you feel fuller for longer periods of time. 

You can toss in some cottage cheese to further increase your protein intake for the day (the taste and texture of cottage cheese melts right into scrambled eggs). Adding flavor boosters like pesto, roasted red peppers, or feta cheese can make your dish even tastier. 

Oatmeal is a versatile and healthy choice

If you haven’t had oatmeal in a while, it might be time to revisit this time-honored classic. Oatmeal, especially made with whole oats or steel-cut oats, is packed with fiber and iron. It’s easy to make, easy to chew, and easy to digest. 

You can boost the nutritional value of your oats by adding a handful of fruit, some applesauce, or nut butter. Milk makes oatmeal creamier, but you could also use almond milk or oat milk. 

In general, the longer you cook oatmeal, the softer the texture becomes. Just be sure to let it cool down before eating, as hot foods can be uncomfortable in the early days after oral surgery. 

Baked or roasted vegetables are soft, delicious, and nutritious

One of the easiest ways to prepare for an upcoming oral surgery is to roast a tray of vegetables a day or two in advance. Just cut up a mix of your favorites, like sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, beets, or parsnips. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top and season with your favorite spice blend. Toss in a hot oven for 20-30 minutes, and keep checking the texture until everything has softened. 

Ready to schedule your oral surgery?

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling on your dental procedure, give the team at Cannon Oral Surgery a call to find a time that works for you. We also offer online booking, expanding the ways you can connect with our office to meet your oral surgery needs.