Whether you recently enhanced your smile with veneers or repaired your damaged teeth with dental crowns, you’re going to want to stick to a soft-food diet following your treatment to ensure a smooth-sailing recovery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend only eating soft foods after specific procedures to prevent damaging your teeth, gums, crowns, or other prosthetic work. Being mindful of the food you eat will put you on the right path toward an easy healing process. In this blog post, we’ll explain why a soft-food diet is necessary and how you can eat healthily.
Why a Soft-Food Diet Is Necessary Sometimes
Sticking to a soft-food diet is necessary following specific complex dental procedures and any oral surgery, like extraction, periodontal surgery, and dental implant placement. It’ll help ensure proper healing after these treatments by reducing irritation on open wounds and lowering the risk of biting with the affected tooth. Of course, since your mouth and jaw will feel sore after certain treatments, it’ll be easier than you think to follow these instructions. You’ll find it much more comfortable to eat soft food!
How Can You Eat Healthy on a Soft-Food Diet?
You may want to reward yourself with some ice cream or frozen yogurt after a long day in a dental chair. However, overindulging in these sweet treats can negatively affect your recovery. You need to make sure you’re eating a healthy and well-balanced diet to promote faster healing. By getting enough calories, you can keep your body nourished. Eating plenty of protein will also help build and repair muscle, skin, and tissue. Don’t forget to eat lots of fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition and vitamins!
Nutritious Soft-Food Diet Options
It’s actually quite easy to eat healthy while on a soft-food diet! There are several nutritious options that don’t require much chewing, such as:
- Pureed or cream soups
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Cottage cheese
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Smoothies or shakes
- Mashed potatoes
- Low-sugar yogurt
- Steamed soft veggies like squash or peas
While you can return to your usual diet once you feel up to it, you should only eat soft foods until your dentist says otherwise. Doing so will ensure you make a quick and speedy recovery!
About the Author
Dr. Robert A. Whitmore has over 35 years of dentistry experience under his belt. He uses the latest technologies, techniques, and materials to ensure his patients are getting nothing but the best service possible! If you have any questions about what to eat following your dental procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out for advice. You can reach Dr. Whitmore via his website or call (817) 468-1212.