Oral Surgery and the Holidays
Oral surgery over the holidays makes sense for many of our patients. Whether they’re on vacation, taking a break from work, or simply determined to use all of their dental benefits before the end of the year, scheduling oral surgery now will benefit them.
Are you thinking about having oral surgery over the holidays but are worried about losing out on all of the great food that is only provided once a year? Will you be stuck sipping chicken soup and chewing Cream of Wheat while the rest of the family enjoys the regular Christmas fare? What are you going to eat while you’re healing after oral surgery?
While chestnuts can still be roasted over an open fire, we do not advocate eating this holiday favorite. But don’t worry, there are plenty more holiday foods to savor while you’re recovering! Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Turkey and ham – either ground or served in very small bites
- Mashed potatoes with delicious savory gravy
- Sweet potatoes topped with toasted, gooey marshmallows
- Traditional cornbread dressing
- Classic holiday casseroles such as Cheesy Broccoli Rice, Southern Squash Casserole or Mac ‘n Cheese
- Cranberry sauce either homemade or straight from the can
- Soft breads, muffins and butter
- Eggnog, Peppermint Milk Shakes and Banana Smoothies. Remember to drink from the glass. Don’t use a straw.
- Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Buttermilk Pie, Soufflés and Cake
Any other foods you enjoy that don’t require much chewing, as well as vitamin shakes like Ensure or Boost, are excellent choices. You can gradually reintroduce firmer items into your diet as your body heals. After a few days, you should be able to consume most of the delicacies on the holiday table, including turkey, but avoid bones and focus on softer foods like mashed potatoes and stuffing.
Oral surgery, such as wisdom tooth extractions or dental implant implantation, should not prohibit you from enjoying your holidays in most situations. When choosing foods, we advise you to exercise caution and good judgment. Follow your doctor’s post-surgery care and cleaning instructions. We also encourage our patients to contact their doctor’s office if they have any concerns or queries.
If you’ve eaten your way through the day and you’re still unsure if you’ve done enough to protect your teeth, make an appointment with your dental hygienist and speak with them about the various different things you can do to maintain good oral health during the holiday season and all year round.
To request an appointment with Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery, please give us a call today at (469) 264-8921, visit our contact page or reach us via email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com.
