Soft Foods After Oral Surgery

“Soft Foods After Oral Surgery” was written by Genevieve Bowman, RDCS, edited by Avery Karp, & final review/edit completed by Aly Bouzek, MS, RDN. Avery is a dietetic student at Kennesaw State University. 

You may have needed oral surgery to prepare for dentures, prevent infection before major surgery (such as cardiac bypass surgery), or to treat oral cancers. 

Your surgeon may have recommended soft foods after oral surgery to aid in the healing process and ensure adequate nutrition intake.

Eating soft foods after oral surgery can help manage pain, discomfort, and swallowing difficulties. Eating soft foods can also help aid in your recovery. The goal is to allow your mouth to heal so that you may return to a more normal eating pattern.

Why are Soft Foods Necessary After Oral Surgery?

Following oral surgery, it is important to allow any incisions to heal undisturbed. Hard, rough, or sticky foods may dislodge sutures or blood clots. This can prolong healing time and increase the risk of complications. 

Following oral surgery, you may find it difficult to chew, move your lips, or open your mouth. You may also experience mouth pain or a dry mouth.

Soft foods are easier to chew and swallow, reducing irritation and pain. They allow you to maintain a healthy nutritional status while you heal.

Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

Many individuals find that they prefer soft, bland, room-temperature foods following oral surgery. Some find they prefer to drink their nutrients.

You may find you prefer consuming smoothies, broths, and liquid oral nutrition supplements during your initial healing process. 

Some soft foods to try once you are ready include:

Breakfast

• Soft scrambled eggs
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat
• Cold cereals soaked in milk
• Smoothies
• Pancakes
• Toast soaked in milk

Lunch and Dinner

• Creamed soups 
• Broths
• Mashed potatoes
• Baked fish
• Polenta or grits
• Steamed soft vegetables
• Pureed meats and poultry
• Macaroni and cheese
• Liquid oral nutrition supplements

Snacks

• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Custard
• Cottage cheese
• Pudding
• Gelatin
• Ice cream or sherbet
• Hummus
• Avocado

Foods to Avoid After Oral Surgery

Some foods may irritate wounds and mouth sores, slowing the healing process.

Others may risk dislodging sutures or blood clots increasing bleeding.

You may also find that you can’t tolerate the feeling of spicy, acidic, or very cold or very hot foods. 

Some foods to avoid following oral surgery include:

• Spicy foods
• Sticky foods
• Tough, dry meats or poultry
• Dry or crunchy crackers, bread, chips, or pretzels
• Acidic fruits and juices like lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges
• Crunchy raw fruits and vegetables (like apples and carrots)
• Caffeinated or carbonated beverages
• Alcohol
• Spices and condiments such as vinegar, chili powder, hot sauce, salsa, and pepper

Soft Food Tips Following Oral Surgery

Beginning a soft food diet may seem intimidating. With some guidance from your surgeon and a registered dietitian or speech therapist, you can find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

Be creative… you can do it!

Some helpful tips:

• Eat small frequent meals to maintain nutritional intake
• Eat slowly and avoid foods that require a lot of chewing
• Use more sauces and gravies to moisten foods
• Puree foods in a food processor or blender for more varied food options
• Drink plenty of fluids for hydration and to help with mouth dryness
• Test temperature tolerance to hot or very cold foods
• Boost calories by using whole milk
• Add pureed or minced meats to creamed soups for extra protein
• Avoid using a straw to drink unless permitted by your surgeon

Good Nutrition Helps Wound Healing

Recovery from oral surgery puts a strain on your body, particularly for older adults.

It is important to eat well during this time to help your body heal and reduce the risk of infection. 

While you may experience a reduced appetite or reduced desire to eat due to discomfort, you actually require MORE nutrients for healing.

Nutrients like protein, fluids, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and zinc play an important role in this process. 

Wound healing also increases the number of calories you will need daily.

Try to eat a varied diet, but prioritize protein, fluids, and calories. 

Protein aids in building tissues for wound healing and boosts immune function. Adequate fluids are necessary to replace the volume from blood loss.

Getting Advice

Your surgeon will advise you on how to manage your healing mouth and what foods to eat. However, each individual and oral surgery is different. You may require therapy or advanced care to allow you to return to a functional level.

Following oral surgery to treat cancers, you may be referred to a speech therapist and/or a registered dietitian. They have specialized training and knowledge to assess what foods are safe for you to eat and how to maintain your strength and energy for healing.

A registered dietitian can recommend foods to eat and a balanced meal plan to ensure you are consuming the required nutrients for your needs. Often our nutrition needs increase during times of healing.

A registered dietitian may even recommend a liquid oral nutrition supplement during your recovery.

Returning to a Regular Diet

The time you should follow a soft food diet will vary, depending on the extent of your oral surgery. Soft foods after oral surgery will give your mouth time to heal. Returning to a regular diet should not be rushed.

Follow your surgeon’s advice for when it is ok to begin trying more solid foods. Initially, you should avoid anything crunchy, sticky, or hard. 

If you experience any discomfort, swelling, or bleeding when trying new foods, then alert your surgeon and/or doctor and return to eating soft foods to allow for more healing.

Soft Food Resources

We’ve gathered some soft food resources that you may find helpful throughout your journey. Click on the links below to learn more. 

• Soft Foods for the Elderly
• High Calorie Soft Foods to Gain Weight
• 75 Soft Foods to Eat When Chewing Hurts
• 15 Foods You Can Eat Without Chewing
• Pureed Food for Adults [Homemade & Premade]
• 5 Easy Ideas for Soft Foods Diet (with FREE Meal Plan)
• The Geriatric Dietitian Soft Foods Archives

Conclusion

You may be recommended to eat soft foods after oral surgery as you heal. This is an excellent way to support your body and promote the healing process. Preventing malnutrition and dehydration is crucial to prevent complications and delayed wound healing. 

With a little bit of knowledge and experimentation, you can find soft foods that will work for your needs and preferences. You may even discover some new recipes or foods to incorporate into your regular diet.

Each type of surgery and each individual’s needs and medical concerns will affect what works best for them. Discuss with your surgeon or registered dietitian about any specific precautions or restrictions there may be for your specific condition and treatment plan.