[Closed] surviving on smoothies and mashed potatoes: my post-tooth-pulling adventure

I completely relate to your experience with ginger ale - it seems soothing in theory, but carbonation can actually irritate sensitive gums. After my own wisdom teeth extraction, I cautiously stuck to lukewarm herbal teas (chamomile was particularly gentle) and creamy soups, much like you described. Potato leek was indeed a comforting choice, though I found tomato-based soups a bit too acidic and irritating. One thing that surprised me was how helpful scrambled eggs turned out to be - soft, nutritious, and easy to swallow without much chewing. I admit, blending mac and cheese never crossed my mind, but it sounds oddly appealing now that you mention it. Recovery can feel slow and frustrating, but you're right about eventually missing the simplicity of the soup-and-soft-food routine. Still, I was relieved when I could finally return to regular meals without anxiety...though I still approach crunchy foods with caution, even years later.

"I admit, blending mac and cheese never crossed my mind, but it sounds oddly appealing now that you mention it."

Blended mac and cheese definitely caught me off guard too - I can't quite decide if that's genius or slightly unsettling! Personally, I found oatmeal to be a lifesaver during recovery. It's filling, gentle on the gums, and easy to flavor differently each day. Also, totally agree about tomato soups; they seemed innocent enough at first, but the acidity was surprisingly harsh. Glad I'm not alone in still being cautious around crunchy foods... popcorn still makes me nervous years later.

Blended mac and cheese sounds like something my kid would invent on a whim, haha. Honestly, I stuck mostly to scrambled eggs and mashed bananas when I had my wisdom teeth out - boring but reliable. Totally get the popcorn anxiety though... years later, I still hesitate before grabbing a handful at movie nights. Funny how certain foods leave lasting impressions after dental adventures, isn't it?

Haha, blended mac and cheese does sound like a kid's culinary masterpiece. Did scrambled eggs actually fill you up, though? I'm already anxious about getting bored of mashed potatoes... and now popcorn's on my worry list too, great.

"Did scrambled eggs actually fill you up, though?"

Honestly, scrambled eggs were my lifesaver after wisdom teeth removal. They're soft enough to eat without much chewing, and the protein kept me feeling full way longer than mashed potatoes ever did. I get your anxiety about popcorn though... kernels are sneaky little devils. But if you're worried about boredom, maybe try some creamy soups or oatmeal? Just make sure they're lukewarm - trust me, hot food on sensitive gums is no joke.

But if you're worried about boredom, maybe try some creamy soups or oatmeal? Just make sure they're lukewarm - trust me, hot food on sensitive gums is no joke.

Scrambled eggs were a total win for me too. Mashed potatoes got old fast, but eggs kept me from feeling hangry all day. And you're spot on about hot food - learned that lesson the hard way, ouch... lukewarm soups ftw.

Scrambled eggs worked well for me too, but honestly, cottage cheese was my lifesaver. Easy protein, gentle on the gums, and didn't get boring as fast as potatoes or oatmeal... might be worth a try if you're getting tired of eggs.

Cottage cheese was a winner for me too, but honestly, after day three, I was craving something savory and cheap. Ended up making instant mashed potatoes with chicken broth instead of water - game changer. Still soft enough, way tastier, and my wallet didn't complain. Also, don't underestimate refried beans... sounds weird, but they're smooth, filling, and budget-friendly. Just don't forget to rinse afterward or you'll scare yourself in the mirror later, lol.

Haha, refried beans...brave choice! I tried that once after my wisdom teeth came out, and let's just say my stomach had opinions about it later. Mashed potatoes with broth sounds decent, but honestly, after a couple days of mushy stuff, I was desperate for something with texture. Ended up scrambling eggs super soft with a bit of cheese melted in - still gentle enough on the gums, but at least it felt like actual food. Cottage cheese is alright, but man, after day two it felt like punishment. I swear I still can't look at a tub without flashbacks. Anyway, props to you for creativity...but beans post-dental surgery? You're tougher than me, friend.

"Mashed potatoes with broth sounds decent, but honestly, after a couple days of mushy stuff, I was desperate for something with texture."

Haha, totally feel you on this! After my dental work last year, I thought I'd be all set with smoothies and soups, but man...after day three I was dreaming about crunchy toast and chips. Eggs were definitely a lifesaver though - I scrambled mine up soft too and threw in a little avocado for extra flavor. Seriously underrated combo.

And props to whoever tried refried beans! That's bold. My adventurous moment was attempting mac and cheese way too soon - definitely learned my lesson there. Cottage cheese isn't my thing either; it always feels like I'm eating sadness in dairy form. Hang in there though, the mushy-food stage thankfully doesn't last forever. Before you know it, you'll be back to chewing real food again...and enjoying every bite twice as much.

Funny, cottage cheese was actually my savior during recovery. I get why people aren't fans - texture's a bit weird - but mixing it with some honey or fruit made it way less depressing, lol. I tried eggs too, but honestly found them kinda tricky at first...kept worrying about little bits getting stuck. Yogurt smoothies were my comfort zone, but by day four I was definitely eyeing my roommate's pizza with envy. Glad that stage doesn't last long...

Cottage cheese with honey actually sounds decent, might have to try that next time. Did you find smoothies filling enough though? I remember feeling hungry again like an hour later...pizza envy is real, haha. Glad you're past the worst of it!

Cottage cheese with honey isn't bad at all - actually reminds me of when I had my wisdom teeth out. I tried smoothies too, but yeah, they never really kept hunger at bay for long. Ended up blending oatmeal into mine for extra staying power...which helped a bit. Weirdest craving I had was crunchy tacos, of all things. Did you get any random cravings like that, or was pizza the main temptation?

Haha, crunchy tacos? That's oddly specific...but relatable. Pizza was definitely tempting, but weirdly enough, I found myself craving popcorn shrimp like crazy. I don't even eat it regularly! Maybe it's the whole "wanting what you can't have" thing. Your oatmeal smoothie idea is genius though - I ended up stirring peanut butter into mine for some extra calories, and it actually tasted decent.

Haha, peanut butter was my lifesaver too. I remember after my wisdom teeth came out, I got weirdly obsessed with mac and cheese - like, the boxed kind I hadn't eaten since childhood. Funny how cravings hit when you're stuck eating mushy stuff... Hang in there, it gets better pretty quick.

Peanut butter and mac and cheese sound great, but honestly, I found peanut butter way too sticky after my extractions. It kept getting stuck in places I didn't even know existed...ugh. Instead, applesauce and yogurt were my go-tos - smooth, easy to swallow, and no hidden surprises later. But you're right about cravings; I randomly wanted crunchy tacos the whole week after surgery. Talk about torture, haha. Anyway, you'll be back to normal foods before you know it.

Haha, crunchy tacos after surgery sounds like pure torture - I feel your pain. Peanut butter was a definite no-go for me too; felt like I was discovering new spots in my mouth every time I tried it. Weirdly enough, I got hooked on mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon...like dessert but healthy-ish. Did anyone else randomly crave foods they usually don't even like? I swear I dreamed about celery sticks, and I normally can't stand them.

Mashed sweet potatoes actually sound doable...but did anyone else worry about spices causing irritation? Cinnamon seems mild, but I'm still nervous about trying anything beyond plain foods. How soon did you guys start adding flavors back in?

"Cinnamon seems mild, but I'm still nervous about trying anything beyond plain foods."

Yeah, cinnamon sounds innocent enough, but even mild spices can surprise you. I waited about a week before adding anything flavorful back in - started super slow. Maybe test a tiny bit first and see how you react?

Totally get being cautious - been there myself. After my extraction, I stuck to budget-friendly basics like mashed potatoes and oatmeal for a good while. When I finally tried cinnamon, I just sprinkled a tiny pinch into my oatmeal first to test the waters. It went fine, but everyone's different, so trust your gut (literally, haha). You're doing great taking it slow...you'll be back to your favorite foods before you know it.