7 Soft Recipe Ideas Dental Patients Often Overlook

By:Anna Medaris Miller, US News

Distract yourself from pain and expedite healing by getting creative in the kitchen. Here are some soft food ideas from USNews! The Oral Surgery DC Team

RX: Soft foods

As if getting your wisdom teeth out, your tonsils removed or your mouth otherwise manipulated, injured or operated on isn't painful enough, such procedures often also deprive patients of enjoying one of life's essential pleasures: good food. A soft foods diet "definitely is not fun and makes you appreciate your teeth," says Joy Dubost, a registered dietitian in the New York City area who has undergone two oral surgeries. But thinking outside of the applesauce-and-broth box can make the situation easier and often, healthier, since having a variety of nutritious foods is important for healing. Here are some creative and satisfying soft recipe ideas that will please your taste buds and your dentist:

Butternut squash hummus

Bored of regular old hummus and unable to chomp on crunchy chips you'd otherwise dip into it? Try one of Joel Gamoran's favorite and seasonally appropriate snacks: butternut squash hummus, which you can easily make by blending roasted squash, tahini, lemon and garlic, says the national chef for Sur La Table and host of the TV series "Scraps." "Eat this with a soft pita or just a spoon," Gamoran says. Outside of taste, the nutrients in the squash alone can support the healing process: Vitamin B6, for instance, is among the B complex vitamins linked to better outcomes among adults post-dental surgery, while its high vitamin A and vitamin C content can help stave off infection.

Deviled eggs

Scrambled eggs are a great soft food staple for oral procedure patients (hello, protein!), but that's not the only way to prepare an egg that's easy on a sore mouth. Deviled eggs are a great alternative, Gamoran says, not to mention perfect for sharing as an appetizer with friends and family if you've also grown sick of recovering in isolation. With deviled eggs, Gamoran says, "you actually feel like you are eating something substantial." For an extra taste jolt, flake smoked fish like trout or salmon into the egg yolks, he suggests.

Mushroom risotto

When Phoebe Lapine got her wisdom teeth removed, she was in too much pain post-procedure to care much about her soup and smoothie diet, she recalls. But now as a chef and culinary instructor based in New York City, she enjoys plenty of mouthwatering soft recipes, even with perfectly capable chops. "Risotto is the first thing that comes to mind, as a more elegant alternative" to standard post-op fare, she says. Try a savory recipe with wild mushrooms for a nutritional boost and added (but still soft) texture. The fungi are rich in vitamin D and some B vitamins, both of which have been linked to improved healing after some dental procedures.

Mashed cauliflower

Nothing beats comfort food when you're feeling lousy, and fortunately, comfort food can be both soft and healthy. Mashed cauliflower, for instance, is a staple in Gamoran's house, no matter the family's state of oral health. Simply steam or boil cauliflower, drain it and mash it with cream cheese and chives, he suggests. You can also, of course, mash sweet or white potatoes rather than waiting until it's comfortable to eat, say, crispy roasted potatoes, says Nancy Farrell, a registered dietitian in Fredericksburg, Virginia. "Modifying the food texture still allows for consumption of the important nutrients in foods and beverages nutrients that are necessary for proper healing and regeneration of tissue," she says.

Seasoned sauerkraut

If you underwent anesthesia for your procedure, it may take some time for your gut to "wake up," says Farrell, also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "A sluggish GI tract can lead to constipation for some people until things are normalized," she says. "That is why prebiotics and probiotics are helpful." Try making "a tender, soft-cooked, seasoned sauerkraut" as a side dish, she suggests. As a prebiotic food, it works by "feeding" the good bacteria in the gut, the Mayo Clinic reports. Other sources of fiber even dropping a powdered supplement in your smoothies, as Dubost recommends can also support good digestion.

Granita

Milkshakes all day, every day are not exactly the responsible option if you want to be able to eat popcorn or steak anytime soon. Proactively eating smart, Farrell points out, "is especially important during times of illness and periods of healing." So try cool sweet treats like fruit smoothies with creative spices like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg instead, Dubost says. And while not a health food, a spin on shaved ice called granita can still deliver some nutrients and soothe a sore mouth, Gamoran finds. Just mix equal parts simple syrup with any blended fruit or juice, toss it in the freezer and scrape it every 30 minutes with a fork. Once it reaches a consistency of your liking, dig in!

Pho

Whether you're orally impaired or not, pho is a dish that should be in your meal rotation, Gamoran says. The Vietnamese noodle dish is super soft, he says, and you can easily make it your own or with broth from a restaurant. Other all-too-often forgotten varieties of soup can be welcome alternatives to canned chicken noodle. Farrell loves squash soup, lentil soup, pea soup, tomato soup and, mouth willing, stews with soft meat for added protein and other nutrients. "Nutrition is a science, and the variety of foods and beverages in your pantry, refrigerator and freezer can and should be the core foundation of your medicine cabinet," she says.

Source:

https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/slideshows/7-creative-soft-food-ideas-to-ease-dental-procedure-recovery?onepage