A fresh salad looks harmless. Then you actually chew it.<\/p>\r\n
Raw vegetables tend to be firm and require chewing than soft foods. Some pieces also have stringy edges. If they’re close to the graft site they can irritate the gum. Get stuck around the area. Because of that I’d skip a raw salad at 48 hours.<\/p>\r\n
There’s another issue people forget. Dressing doesn’t magically make salad soft. A bowl covered in dressing can still contain plenty of food that needs chewing.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Mashed potato, especially when its smooth enough to eat without chewing.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Scrambled eggs work well because they’re soft and don’t leave stubborn pieces behind.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Yoghurt or another smooth option can be easier on the area though cold foods aren’t comfortable for everyone.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Warm soft foods are fine. Don’t make them piping hot because heat can irritate a fresh surgical site.<\/p>\r\n
Avoid using a straw unless your dentist specifically says it’s fine. The sucking action is unnecessary this early in healing.<\/p>\r\n
There isn’t one day that works for everyone. Your dentist may give you a diet based on the type of graft and where it was placed.<\/p>\r\n
For people softer foods are the safer choice during the first several days. As healing progresses you can gradually return to foods that need chewing. Start with something rather than jumping straight into a huge bowl of raw vegetables.<\/p>\r\n
Stop eating it. Follow the aftercare instructions you’ve been given. Don’t aggressively. Poke the surgical area to check whether something is stuck. If you notice increasing pain, significant bleeding swelling that gets worse or anything else that seems unusual contact your dentist.<\/p>\r\n