Gum Surgery When to Eat Food Again

This is non my normal travel and food kind of post, just as a foodie navigating nearly two weeks of eating soft foods subsequently my gum graft, I thought I'd share my experience and offering a few tips on what to consume afterward oral surgery.

If you're here for soft food suggestions, scroll to the lesser. 😉 Otherwise, I have some information hither about my feel and some tips to help make the experience more comfy.

What'due south A Gum Graft

First of all, you lot might be request, "what'due south a gum graft?" It's a blazon of oral surgery performed by a periodontist to thicken or back up receding gums. It's a common procedure as gum recession can happen to anyone for any number of reasons, from genetics to brushing too difficult (I'm guilty of this … and accept used strong hotel toothbrushes also when I've forgotten to pack mine. Never again!)

There are several unlike types of grafts, and if yous're curious, there's even a few blithe gum graft videos on YouTube showing what the process entails. Nevertheless, it'south not for the overnice or faint-of-heart, so I'll spare you the details.

I will tell y'all that it wasn't nearly every bit painful or scary every bit I had anticipated. The surgery itself is painless (thank God for hurting meds!) And information technology is relatively tranquility, particularly when compared to the loftier-pitched audio of drills and tools used for a basic fillings and dental work. But it does have a bit more self care and time to heal at home. Here are a few tips from my feel:

Some of the soft food treats I stocked upwardly on for subsequently my gum graft.

Tips For Gum Graft Surgery

i – Programme to have a friend or family member drive you.

Some periodontists will offering sedation if you're feeling especially nervous or uncomfortable. I chose not to exist sedated for my surgery, but I nonetheless had a family member drive me to my appointment and back dwelling house. I was so thankful I planned in accelerate to have someone bulldoze me as I felt a piddling woozy and lightheaded from the hurting meds.

2 – Load up an iPod with your favorite music.

My periodontist suggested this tip, and I'm then glad I followed his advice. Having music to heed to during my procedure made all the departure in the world. I institute myself mentally singing along to the lyrics to entertain myself. As I mentioned earlier, the procedure is pretty quiet, simply having music as a calming lark definitely helped me relax. Meditation and yoga helped too, considering at one bespeak I think I realized I was holding my breath. I let out a long exhale and the doctor stopped to ask if I was okay. Yup! But remembering to exhale. LOL!

three – Avoid foods that are acidic, similar citrus or tomato plant based dishes.

I had heard that the donor site on the roof of my mouth would feel like a burn from a hot pizza slice. Thankfully, information technology wasn't that bad and the pain wasn't abiding like I had anticipated. The first few days I didn't even notice it at all.

As the area started to heal, information technology did sting a footling. And it really became noticeable and stung more if I ate something that was acidic, like fruit juice or something with tomato plant sauce. I'd equate the feeling to pouring peroxide on a paper cut. Not skillful, and then avoid acidic foods if you lot can, and lookout man out for citric acid every bit it is a common ingredient in prepared foods.

4 – Prepare some soft foods in advance.

When I starting time got abode, I spent the rest of the day slowly sipping a skyr smoothie while watching the latest flavour of Grace and Frankie. And I napped, a lot. After the first 24 hours, though, I felt a lot more similar myself. I could talk just fine and go some work done, but I was more tired than usual.  Whether it was the meds or lack of calories from not eating equally much, I just didn't have a lot of energy. Then, it was great having some soft pre-packaged foods that didn't require much prep.

Before your gum graft, pick up a few quick meals that are like shooting fish in a barrel to make, or don't require whatsoever preparation at all. Things like yogurt smoothies, pudding, and even ice cream for a care for.  Also, make a pitcher of iced tea the dark before and relieve the tea bags in a ziplock in the refrigerator to apply afterwards as a cold compress for your gums. The tannins help claret jell, and drinking cold tea seemed to help reduce the stinging for me.

five – Plan your surgery for the terminate of the calendar week.

This was another great proposition by my medico. I scheduled my surgery on a Thursday afternoon and so I'd have the weekend to recover. The first day after the procedure, I felt a piffling more than tired than usual and ate  kind of sloppy with my caput tilted at an bad-mannered angle to go on the food to my 'proficient' side.  Past Monday, I could talk normally and get some work washed, I just felt more tired than usual since I was eating less.  And ten days after my surgery, I went back for a mail service-op visit to have the putty-like dressing removed. I didn't accept any stitches, and I felt like the dressing really protected the area then it could heal.  Information technology just looked similar I had chewing gum stuck to my teeth for nigh a week.

Colorful fruit smoothies.

What To Eat Later Your Gum Graft

This is where existence a foodie can be a major bummer. At commencement, the thought of a week-long liquid fast sounds like a great way to diet and drop a few unwanted pounds. And I idea I was especially clever scheduling my procedure correct after a prowl. But virtually soft foods are on the sugariness side, and smoothies go boring pretty quick. I was craving vegetables!  And I missed the textures of nutrient.

After 24 hours, Pete made me some scrambled eggs … and having a warm savory meal made it felt like the all-time dinner I had all yr.  Thankfully, my friend Brooke brought over some Colcannon Soup besides. A couple of days later on, I felt like I could eat somewhat normal over again, merely was yet cautious about getting food stuck in the putty-like dressing that was along my gum line and teeth, or poking the wound on my palate. I started eating more soft solids like mashed potatoes, over-cooked pasta (non al dente), and ham salad.

If you're looking for ideas on what to eat after a gum graft, here is my listing:

Pre-Packaged Foods

Protein Smoothies
Greek Yogurt
Chilled Overnight Oats
Skyr Smoothies (an Icelandic yogurt high in protein)
Pudding Cups
Mac & Cheese
Munk Pack Oatmeal Fruit Squeeze
Kid's Organic Fruit Slammers
Absurdity
Well Yes Soups

Bootleg Soft Foods

Scrambled Eggs
Cucumber Melon Smoothies
Cheese Omelets
Spinach & Kale Pesto with soft (overcooked) pasta
Ham Salad
Egg Salad
Colcannon Soup
Portuguese Sausage & Beans
Gnocchi and butter
Microwave Oatmeal

Looks like I'll have to get a graft on my other bottom molars too, and so if you lot take any other soft food ideas, I'd dearest to hear them in the comments!

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Source: https://thetravelbite.com/travel_and_food_blog/gum-graft-surgery-survival-tips/