I feel you on the orange juice thing... citrus is sneaky like that. Honestly, tomato soup probably wouldn't sting much, but I totally understand not wanting to risk it. Better safe than sorry, right? Hang in there—it gets easier after a few days.
I get your caution about tomato soup—it's not just the acidity, but also the temperature that can be tricky. Even mildly warm soups can sometimes irritate a fresh extraction site, especially in the first couple of days. I remember when I had my wisdom teeth removed, I thought lukewarm tomato soup would be safe, but it ended up causing a bit of discomfort. It wasn't unbearable, but definitely noticeable enough to make me switch back to cooler foods for another day or two.
If you're looking for alternatives beyond smoothies and mashed potatoes (which can admittedly get monotonous), you might consider something like chilled avocado soup or even blended lentil soup served at room temperature. Both are nutritious, budget-friendly options that won't sting or irritate sensitive gums. Another thing that helped me was blending oatmeal with banana and almond milk—it's filling, gentle on the extraction site, and pretty affordable if you're watching your budget.
Also, keep an eye on the nutritional balance of your meals during recovery. Smoothies and mashed potatoes are great comfort foods, but adding some protein powder or Greek yogurt into your smoothies can help you feel fuller longer and support healing. It doesn't have to be expensive either; store-brand Greek yogurt is usually reasonably priced and packs a decent protein punch.
Hang in there—you're right about it getting easier after a few days. By day four or five, you'll likely find yourself able to handle more variety without discomfort. Until then, patience and careful food choices really do pay off in terms of comfort and healing speed.
"Even mildly warm soups can sometimes irritate a fresh extraction site, especially in the first couple of days."
Interesting point, but I'm wondering if temperature sensitivity varies significantly from person to person? When I had my extraction, lukewarm broth actually felt soothing rather than irritating. Maybe it's more about the soup's consistency or ingredients rather than just warmth alone? Curious if anyone else found certain warm foods unexpectedly comforting instead of problematic...
Haha, funny you mention that—I remember after my wisdom teeth got yanked, I was all set to live off ice cream and smoothies, but weirdly enough, warm oatmeal ended up being my savior. Something about the warmth and mushiness just felt comforting rather than painful. Maybe it's less about heat alone and more about texture or even personal pain tolerance? Wonder if anyone else had a surprise comfort food during recovery...
I totally get that oatmeal thing... I thought I'd be all about ice cream too, but cold stuff actually made me super sensitive and anxious. Weirdly, lukewarm scrambled eggs were my go-to—soft enough to swallow without chewing and somehow calming. Guess everyone's comfort food ends up being pretty personal, huh?
