I had a bone graft in my upper jaw about 3 weeks ago (getting ready for an implant, yay...), and honestly, figuring out how to not mess it up has been trickier than I thought. Here’s my rough routine for anyone in the same boat:
1. Soft foods only—seriously, I’ve eaten more mashed potatoes and yogurt than I ever wanted. I just avoid anything crunchy or chewy.
2. No straws or spitting (which is weirdly hard to remember), because my dentist said it could mess with the healing.
3. Rinsing gently with salt water after meals, but not swishing too hard.
4. Sleeping with my head propped up so it doesn’t throb as much at night.
5. Skipping workouts that make me strain or hold my breath (learned that the hard way—oops).
I’m still a little paranoid about brushing near the area, but I’m using one of those extra-soft baby toothbrushes for now.
Anybody else have tips for dealing with cravings or just getting through the first month? Did you find anything that made eating less miserable?
- Instant mashed potatoes and applesauce became my new best friends—never thought I’d miss crunchy stuff so much. I did try blending up soups and even mac & cheese (don’t judge), which helped with the boredom.
- For cravings, I found that popsicles (the non-chunky kind) were a lifesaver. They’re cold, soothing, and you can let them melt in your mouth without much chewing.
- The no-straw rule tripped me up at first too... muscle memory is a pain. I kept catching myself reaching for one out of habit.
- For brushing, I got one of those tiny travel toothbrushes—smaller than baby ones. Made it easier to sneak around the sore spot.
- I also started using podcasts at mealtimes so eating didn’t feel so depressing. Weirdly helps.
Anyone else get super tired of sweet foods? I ended up craving salty stuff way more than I expected. Did anyone try savory smoothies or something like that?
I totally get the craving for salty stuff—after my own bone graft, I was so over pudding and yogurt by the end of week one. Tried pureeing roasted veggies with a bit of broth and some parmesan... not exactly gourmet, but it scratched that savory itch. The no-straw thing tripped me up too; muscle memory is real. And yeah, podcasts during meals make it feel less like a chore.
Pureed veggies with broth is a solid idea—definitely more affordable than some of the pre-made “medical” shakes they push at the pharmacy. I did mashed potatoes with canned tuna (super soft, just mash it up) and a little olive oil for protein. Also, applesauce with cinnamon when I wanted something different. The no-straw rule is annoying, but I found using a small cup helped control spills. Podcasts are a good call... I ended up watching a lot of old sitcoms, honestly.
Podcasts are a good call... I ended up watching a lot of old sitcoms, honestly.
Greek yogurt with honey was my go-to when I got tired of plain stuff. I also blended cottage cheese with avocado for something savory. Skipping spicy foods helped too—burned once, never again. I found cold compresses at night reduced swelling more than I expected.
