What are the dietary restrictions after oral and maxillofacial surgery?

Special attention should be given to diet after oral and maxillofacial surgery. Avoid irritating foods and choose light, easy-to-digest foods to aid in recovery.

1. Light Diet: After surgery, especially parotidectomy and submandibular gland surgery, the diet should be as light as possible. Avoid acidic, spicy, and sweet foods that irritate the mouth and wounds, which may lead to complications such as salivary fistula. Good choices include cooked vegetables, rice porridge, and clear soup.

2. Liquid and Semi-liquid Foods: For major surgeries inside the mouth, patients may require a liquid or semi-liquid diet for a period of time after surgery. Liquid foods such as milk, fruit juice, and soup, and semi-liquid foods like porridge and soft noodles, can reduce the burden of chewing and swallowing, avoiding secondary injury to the surgical site.

3. Avoid Hard and Rough Foods: After surgery, avoid hard and rough foods such as nuts, hard cookies, and fried foods. These foods may scratch the inside of the mouth and prolong healing time. Choose soft, delicate foods such as steamed eggs, tofu, and bananas to better protect wounds.

4. High-Nutrient Diet: For patients with malignant tumors, high-nutrient foods are needed after surgery to promote wound healing. Protein-rich foods such as fish, eggs, and bean products provide the body with necessary nutrients and accelerate recovery. Meanwhile, appropriate supplementation of vitamins and minerals helps boost immunity.

5. Avoid Hot Foods: After surgery, the inside of the mouth is sensitive, and hot foods can easily burn wounds, affecting healing. Food temperature should be moderate, preferably warm, to avoid alternating hot and cold temperatures that irritate the mouth.

6. Oral Hygiene: After surgery, oral hygiene is particularly important. Rinse your mouth promptly after eating to keep it clean and prevent infection. Using warm salt water to rinse the mouth can clean the mouth and help reduce inflammation.

7. Adequate Water Intake: Maintaining sufficient water intake aids in body metabolism and wound healing. Drink enough water every day and avoid excessive consumption of sugary and carbonated beverages.

8. Follow Doctor's Advice: Each patient's situation is different, and postoperative diets may vary. Strictly follow the doctor's dietary recommendations and adjust the diet structure according to your condition to ensure smooth recovery.

Special attention should be given to choosing light, easy-to-digest, and high-nutrient foods after oral and maxillofacial surgery, avoiding irritating, hard, and hot foods. Maintaining oral hygiene and adequate water intake can accelerate the recovery process. We hope these suggestions can help you. Wish you a speedy recovery!