Procedures for which you might require oral surgery include tooth extraction, placement of dental implants or correction of a fracture or physical defect of the jaw. To prepare for and heal from surgery, your body requires the nutrition that comes from healthful foods. Because surgical incisions and post-surgical swelling can make eating and drinking difficult, you must adapt to a diet of softer and more liquid foods until you can chew and swallow normally again.
Pre-Surgery
The amount of anesthesia required for oral surgery varies depending on the complexity and length of the procedure you are undergoing. If your dentist is administering only local anesthesia or a sedative, he may not ask you to observe any special diet restrictions before your procedure. If you require general anesthesia, your surgeon will instruct you to not take anything by mouth after midnight before the day of your surgery. Follow your doctor's orders precisely to avoid any complications.
Immediately Following Surgery
As you recover from oral surgery, the most important nutrient of all is water, advises the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Drinking between six and eight glasses of fluid daily is a good rule of thumb for the average adult, and you may need to increase this following surgery. Because hot beverages may prolong bleeding, avoid them for the first 24 hours after surgery. Besides water, good cold drinks include juices, smoothies and milkshakes. Avoid using a straw for several days, as it can create problems with the incision or extraction site.
Soft Foods
As you feel able after your surgery, you can add regular menu items, beginning with soft foods. Appropriate foods include soup, broth, gelatin, ice cream, yogurt, pudding, oatmeal, mashed potatoes and applesauce or other mashed fruit. You can also use a blender to liquefy regular meals. Although you will not be able to eat your normal diet in the days immediately following your oral surgery, it is essential you provide your body with the proper nutrition it requires for healing. Avoid skipping meals and try to maintain your normal calorie intake. Foods high in protein can help promote faster healing.
Jaw Surgery
Orthognathic, or jaw surgery, requires a longer healing time and a more specialized diet than simpler procedures such as tooth extraction. For several days following surgery on the jaw, you must take all your nutrition in liquid form. High-calorie liquid supplements can help provide the proper amount of protein and vitamins. After swelling from the surgery has gone down, you can begin a semi-solid diet that requires no chewing, including foods such as soft scrambled eggs, soft pancakes or pasta that has been cooked until it is very tender. Continue with this diet until your dentist or surgeon gives you the go-ahead to add more solid foods.
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