The infamous "wisdom teeth removal surgery" is one of the most dreaded experiences in any young adults life. I was almost certain I would be one of the lucky ones who are able to get by without doing it, given neither of my parents ever did, and I never had any problems of my own.
It wasn't until one visit to the dentist's office when I was told that all four needed to be extracted immediately. Before I could blink, I was out cold in the chair of a surgeon I had never met. The worst part of the whole experience is not the pain, but actually, the fact that your entire diet is disturbed. Not only that, but you're unable to open your mouth more than a few centimeters. Your options are limited, but it doesn't have to be tomato soup and boring applesauce every day. With a little creativity, your longing taste buds will thank you.
1. Greek yogurt smoothies.
Tanja Sund
A smoothie might not seem like the most exciting option to many, but dust off your blender, because chocolate ice cream does get old. You might think that you can eat ice cream and pudding forever, but your body might not tolerate it anymore after a few days. You'll feel a lot better, overall, after a serving of your favorite liquefied fruit (and maybe veggies) served out of a bowl with a spoon, because of no straws, obviously. I found that blending in Greek yogurt helped to keep me fuller and add a creamier texture to smoothies making them easier on the mouth.
2. DIY oatmeal.
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Oatmeal is underrated. The warm, soft texture will keep you from getting bored too quickly. You can add anything you like for flavor, like cinnamon, maple syrup, butter, and even boiled apple slices. Most importantly, oatmeal has fiber (trust me, you'll thank me later).
3. Popeye’s mashed potatoes.
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Not just any mashed potatoes - Popeye's mashed potatoes. They are exceptionally satisfying: creamy and tasteful, with a little gravy on top. The best part? No teeth required to chow down.
4. Wawa’s mac and cheese.
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Definitely not Kraft. Wawa's mac and cheese is overcooked in the most perfect way. For someone recovering from wisdom teeth extraction surgery, the fluffy noodles are hot, cheesy, and just soft enough to eat without causing any pain.
5. Matzo ball soup.
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You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this delicacy. Seriously, nothing compares to the feeling of sinking your teeth into a good, hot bowl of matzo ball soup. Anyone who has tried it can attest to its notorious healing qualities, making it the best recovery food. As long as you make the matzo balls soft, you're good to go. (PSA- to make soft, buy the Matzo ball mix from the grocery store, add a pinch of baking powder, and use seltzer instead of water). You're all welcome.
Getting your wisdom teeth out is a drag, but your post-op food choices don't have to be! Between doses of pain medication, have your fill of real food, and skip the chicken broth.
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