Spinach and yogurt surprised me too, but honestly, after surgery, anything soft and savory is a win. Lentil soups were my lifesaver as well—cheap, nutritious, and easy to prep ahead. Hang in there, it really does get easier after the first week or so...
"Lentil soups were my lifesaver as well—cheap, nutritious, and easy to prep ahead."
Totally agree on lentil soups, they were a staple when my daughter had her gum surgery. Another thing that worked surprisingly well for us was mashed sweet potatoes—easy to swallow, filling, and she liked the sweetness. Ice packs were definitely key, but we also found that alternating with warm compresses after the first couple days helped ease the swelling faster. The first week is rough, but you're right, it does get easier pretty quickly. Hang in there, you're doing great.
Lentil soups are definitely a good call, but I always get a little nervous recommending anything too grainy or chunky after gum surgery—sometimes those little bits can irritate healing tissue. Did anyone else find that certain textures or spices caused irritation or slowed down healing? Sweet potatoes sound ideal though, smooth and gentle on the gums. I usually suggest my patients stick to really smooth purees or even smoothies at first, just to be safe. Also curious about the warm compresses you mentioned...did your dentist recommend that, or was it something you tried on your own? I usually tell people to stick with cold packs for the first 48 hours, but now I'm wondering if alternating warmth might actually help some people more.
I get the caution about chunky soups, but honestly, lentil soup worked great for me—just blended it smooth first. Didn't have any irritation that way. About the compresses, my dentist actually mentioned switching to warm packs after the first couple days to boost circulation and help healing. Cold packs were good initially, but warmth felt like it eased the stiffness later on. Maybe it's different for everyone though? Did your dentist specifically advise against heat, or just not mention it?
"Cold packs were good initially, but warmth felt like it eased the stiffness later on."
Yeah, that's pretty much what worked for me too. My dentist didn't specifically say no heat, just emphasized ice for the first 48 hours. After that, I switched to warm compresses and it made a noticeable difference—felt way less stiff and achy. Guess it's one of those "listen to your body" things... everyone's recovery is a bit different. Glad the lentil soup trick worked out, btw. Blending soups was a lifesaver for me too!
