Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

If you are preparing for oral surgery, the team at Advanced OMS in Elmhurst understands you may be wondering: What can I eat?

To allow the surgical site to properly heal, you must consume only soft foods for the first 3–5 days following your procedure.

Essential Dietary Restrictions

To ensure proper healing, you must strictly adhere to the following restrictions for a full 7 days:

• Avoid: Spicy or citrus foods, crunchy foods, carbonated drinks, and alcohol.

• Do Not Use: Drinking straws (The suction created can disrupt the healing process).

Day of Surgery Instructions

For the best possible recovery following your procedure with your Oral Surgeons Elmhurst, please adhere to these guidelines on the day of surgery:

• Temperature: All food and drinks must be room temperature to cool. Avoid anything hot for the first 24 hours.

• Fluids First: It is advised to stick to clear fluids initially. You must not consume foods that require you to chew.

  • Recommended Clear Fluids: Broth, non-citrus juices, Jell-O, and warm (not hot) tea and coffee.

• Progression: After the initial period, you can slowly begin to add thicker liquids and gradually progress toward the soft foods listed below.

Suggested Soft Foods for Healing

Advanced OMS knows that proper nutrition is key to a smooth recovery. Here are some suggested soft dishes to ensure you and your caretaker are ready post-surgery.

Tip for Flavor: Finely crushed herbs are an excellent way to add flavor to any soft food without irritation.

Soft Foods Appropriate Year-Round

These dishes are delicious and suitable for consumption at any time:

• Scrambled eggs

• Soft-cooked pasta or risotto

• Juices (Remember to avoid citrus the first week)

• Bananas

• Pudding or mousse

• Cottage cheese

• Chicken noodle soup (soft noodles only)

• Pancakes

• Applesauce

• Tofu

• Oatmeal

• Fish (flaky, soft varieties)

• Peanut butter (smooth)

• Hummus

• Refried beans

• Guacamole

• Pho (broth and soft noodles)

Soft Foods for Cool and Cold Seasons

If you are recovering during the cool or cold seasons, consider these options:

• Mashed potatoes: Can be dressed up with add-ins like sour cream, spices, or gravy.

• Soups: Including split pea, tomato, cream of mushroom, and asparagus.

• Crustless pumpkin pie

• Green bean casserole (Ensure you skip the crunchy topping!)

• Sweet potato casserole

• Moist stuffing

• Shredded turkey (Gravy helps with moisture!)

• Macaroni and cheese

Soft Foods for Warm and Hot Seasons

If you are recovering during the warm or hot seasons, these lighter options are refreshing:

• Protein shakes

• Smoothies

• Nut butters (smooth)

• Avocado

• Yogurt

• Watermelon (seedless, very soft parts)

• Acai bowls

• Gazpacho (smooth, non-spicy)

• Poached fish

• Soft peaches, peeled

• Fresh vegetables, cooked until soft