"Maybe it's not just texture but how easily food breaks apart?"
Exactly this. When I had my extraction, I found oatmeal was surprisingly rough despite being soft—just too sticky and clumpy. Soups or eggs worked better for me too, probably because they break apart without much chewing...
"Soups or eggs worked better for me too, probably because they break apart without much chewing..."
Eggs were my go-to as well... Scrambled eggs, specifically. But did anyone else find mashed potatoes tricky? Soft, sure, but they stuck everywhere—felt like I spent ages carefully rinsing afterward. Did you have the same issue?
Scrambled eggs saved me too, especially in those first few days. Mashed potatoes were definitely tricky—I remember having to rinse gently with warm salt water afterward because bits would stick around the extraction site. One thing that helped me was thinning them out a bit more than usual with extra butter or gravy...made them easier to manage and less sticky. Still tasty, just less hassle.
"One thing that helped me was thinning them out a bit more than usual with extra butter or gravy...made them easier to manage and less sticky."
That's actually a great tip—making foods smoother and less sticky can significantly ease the recovery process. It's common for mashed potatoes or similar foods to lodge in extraction sites, which can be uncomfortable and even slow down healing if not gently cleaned out. Warm salt water rinses, as you mentioned, are excellent for keeping the area clean and promoting faster healing.
Another suggestion I'd add is trying soups or broths that are lukewarm rather than hot. They provide nourishment without irritating sensitive tissues. Also, smoothies (without seeds or small particles) can be a lifesaver during those initial days when chewing feels daunting.
Overall, it sounds like you're managing your recovery thoughtfully and effectively. Keep up the good work—you're definitely on the right track toward smooth healing.
"One thing that helped me was thinning them out a bit more than usual with extra butter or gravy...made them easier to manage and less sticky."
Wish I'd thought of that earlier! I remember after my extraction, mashed potatoes were my go-to, but they kept getting stuck, and it made me super anxious about healing properly. Eventually, I switched to lukewarm tomato soup and yogurt smoothies (no seeds, obviously). That helped a ton. Also, I second the warm salt water rinses—those were a lifesaver for me too. Honestly, the first few days felt like forever, but by day four or five things started feeling way better. Hang in there, sounds like you're doing everything right so far.
