Pizza overrated? Nah, can't back you up there...but I feel your pain. When I had my wisdom teeth out, mashed potatoes were basically my best friend for a week. Also, don't underestimate smoothies—cold, tasty, and zero chewing required. Hang in there, you'll be back to gooey cheese heaven before you know it.
"mashed potatoes were basically my best friend for a week"
Totally relate to this. When I had oral surgery last year, mashed potatoes were a lifesaver—especially with a bit of gravy or melted butter to keep things interesting. Another thing that helped me was soups, but not just any soup. Creamy soups like tomato bisque or broccoli cheddar were gentle enough to handle without chewing, and they felt more satisfying than just liquids. Also, if you're craving something sweet, pudding or yogurt can be comforting and easy on your mouth. Just make sure to avoid anything acidic or spicy for a bit...learned that the hard way. Hang in there, it gets better faster than you'd think.
"mashed potatoes were basically my best friend for a week"
Haha, I feel this on a deep level. When my daughter had her wisdom teeth out, mashed potatoes practically became a food group in our house. We joked that we should've bought stock in potatoes beforehand. She got bored pretty quickly though, so we started experimenting with other soft foods to keep things interesting.
One thing she really liked was scrambled eggs—soft, fluffy, and easy to swallow without much chewing. Plus, you can mix in cheese or avocado to add some flavor and nutrition. Another winner was smoothies; we threw in bananas, berries (nothing too seedy), yogurt, and even peanut butter sometimes for extra protein. It helped her feel fuller and less cranky about missing out on regular meals.
I totally second the creamy soup suggestion too—broccoli cheddar was a hit here as well. Just be careful with temperature...we learned the hard way that even slightly hot soup feels like lava when your mouth is already sore.
And yeah, definitely steer clear of acidic stuff like orange juice or tomato sauce for a while. My daughter tried spaghetti sauce way too soon because she missed pasta so much...let's just say it wasn't pretty.
Hang in there—it might feel endless right now, but you'll be back to crunchy snacks before you know it. Until then, embrace the potato life!
Haha, mashed potatoes really are the MVP of dental recovery. I've seen so many patients swear by them, it's practically a rite of passage at this point.
"Just be careful with temperature...we learned the hard way that even slightly hot soup feels like lava when your mouth is already sore."
This is spot-on advice. You wouldn't believe how many times I've had to gently remind people that "warm" doesn't mean "fresh from the stove." Lukewarm is your friend right now—trust me on this one.
Smoothies are definitely a lifesaver too, but I'd add a quick caution about straws. Did your daughter use them? Sometimes the suction can actually irritate healing sites or even dislodge clots (dry socket is no joke). If smoothies are your thing, try sipping straight from the cup or using a spoon instead. It might feel weird at first, but it's worth avoiding complications.
Another underrated option: oatmeal. Cooked soft and creamy, maybe with some cinnamon or honey stirred in...it's filling and gentle on sore gums. Plus, it breaks up the monotony of potatoes and eggs pretty nicely.
And speaking of eggs—scrambled is great, but have you tried egg salad? It's easy to mash up finely and you can season it however you like. Just skip crunchy additions like celery for now (I know, sad).
Also, yogurt can be a good choice if you're careful about flavors. Stick to mild ones like vanilla or banana rather than anything citrusy or berry-heavy at first. Acidic fruits can sting more than you'd expect.
Hang in there—it'll get better faster than you think. Before long you'll be back to chips and salsa without even thinking twice about it...
Haha, oatmeal was definitely my go-to when I had my wisdom teeth out. I remember thinking smoothies would be perfect, but yeah...straws were a no-go for me too. One thing I'd add—watch out for rice. Seems harmless, but those tiny grains get stuck EVERYWHERE, and fishing them out isn't exactly fun when your mouth already feels like it's under construction. Learned that one the hard way...
