Does Drinking Pineapple Juice Before Wisdom Teeth Surgery Help You Recover Faster? Let's See What Happens!

Wisdom teeth extractions are standard procedures for a dentist, but they do have their fair share of pain and swelling. If you've been searching for home remedies, you may have heard that drinking pineapple juice before the procedure can help you recover faster. 

Is this hack true? 

The answer may surprise you. 
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Pineapple Juice Can Reduce Swelling and Pain

Yes, it's true, pineapple juice has been shown to reduce pain and swelling. Well, not the juice per se, but an enzyme it contains, called bromelain. 

Several studies have shown that bromelain can reduce inflammation and swelling, especially after surgical procedures. 
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Does It Actually Work?

Here's the tricky part. While bromelain can help, you would need to consume large amounts of pineapple juice to be effective. 

The studies mentioned used bromelain supplements, which provide a concentrated dose. But, pineapple juice only has a limited quantity of bromelain and you would need to drink gallons to get any close to getting pain relief. 
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Should You Try This Hack?

It's best to avoid this hack and stick to the more traditional and tested recovery tips. Here's why:

Pineapple juice is very acidic and sweet. Drinking too much of it would be detrimental to your oral health. Basically, you would coat your entire mouth in sugar and acid right before a dental procedure. Acid and sugar weaken the enamel, making your teeth exposed to cavity-producing bacteria. 

Consuming large amounts of pineapple or pineapple juice can also be harsh on your stomach and lead to pain and other gastrointestinal Issues. 

Instead of drinking bottle after bottle of pineapple juice to recover faster after wisdom tooth extraction, try this:

• Rest. Your body will do most of the hard work itself, but you can help it by taking one or two days off. Skip the gym for a few days, don't carry heavy bags, and just take it easy. 

• If the pain is intense, take the meds the dentist prescribed. OTC pain medication works fine too. This is the best way to control your pain, not by drinking pineapple juice. 

• Use ice packs or treat yourself with an ice cream to reduce both swelling and pain. 

• Only eat soft foods for a few days and don't chew on the side of the wisdom tooth extraction. 

• Don't touch the extraction site with your tongue or finger. 

• Keep your mouth clean but avoid brushing directly on the extraction site for the first few days. 
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Follow Dr. Frank Yeh's Instructions 

Generally, the best and fastest way to recover after a wisdom tooth extraction is to follow the dentist's post-op instructions. Dr. Frank will offer plenty of tips that will ensure a swift recovery. 

If you need dental care in Virginia Beach, VA, Coastal Virginia Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is one click or phone call away. Get in touch with us online or by calling us at (757) 426-6155 to book your appointment.