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Tuesday, 15 March 2016

5 Foods to Eat After Dental Work

Last Updated: 17 January 2022

Last week I had to have some dental work done, which resulted in an aching jaw, sore teeth and half my mouth being numb. I'm sure many of you will have experienced something similar at one time or another, but it got me thinking - what foods can I eat while my mouth is healing?

Everyone usually heads for the go-to staples like soup, yoghurt or ice cream, but what if you want to try something else? I am by no means an experienced nutritionist or healthcare professional, but here are 5 foods I recommend for the days following dental work.

1. Roasted Vegetables

Veggies are good for you, and if you roast them they can be soft enough to easily mash up or eat without causing further discomfort. Personally, I recommend chopping up and roasting root vegetables like sweet potato and butternut squash as they go all soft and fluffy when roasted for the right amount of time. Just be careful to let them cool down before eating because you really don't want to burn your sensitive gums.

2. Risotto

Risotto might seem like a weird choice, but I found it a great way to get a proper meal that I could actually eat! Try pairing the risotto rice with spinach and small pieces of smoked fish fillet to make a tasty, easy-to-eat meal. Make sure it's well-cooked so it's nice and soft.

3. Stir Fry

Perhaps another unusual choice, but a homemade stir fry can make another filling dinner for those recovering from dental problems. I recommend using the thicker udon noodles as they're both softer and easier to break up. Personally, I'd avoid meat for this (some meat can be quite tough when stir-fried) and go veggie. Throw in softer vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and bean sprouts. Team all that with a sauce of your choosing (I recommend nothing too spicy as it might irritate your mouth) and there you have another easy-to-eat meal.

4. Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein and a great food for this kind of thing. Tasty on their own or with some soft bread, eggs are filling and good for a lunchtime meal. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try making an omelette to get some variety.

5. Sponge Pudding

So you want something sweet but you're fed up with ice cream? Try a sponge pudding. You can buy them ready-made in the chilled section of most supermarkets or, even better, you could try your hand at making your own. There are plenty of recipes out there, but this is one of the simplest. Customise your pudding by adding your choice of flavouring - for example, jam, marmalade, lemon curd, syrup, chocolate sauce, or treacle (though I personally wouldn't recommend treacle as it can sting sensitive teeth because it's so sweet). Make sure it's cooled down to eat and serve with custard (or more ice cream!)

What foods do you recommend for after dental work? Let me know in the comments below!

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