However, some people claim that drinking pineapple juice during surgery will reduce pain and inflammation and speed up recovery. Read on in this article to learn whether the hack is a true or false claim and what dentists say about it.

Wisdom tooth surgery

 

Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth that erupt in the mouth, also known as third molars. These teeth usually appear around the ages of 17 to 25. Some people never get wisdom teeth. Others do not experience problems when their wisdom teeth erupt naturally, like their other molars. This wisdom teeth removal surgery aims to help avoid complications like toothache or infections that can happen if you leave them for a long time.

 

You will be put under local anesthesia or sedation to numb the tooth and the surrounding area. An oral surgeon will make an incision in your gums to expose the tooth and bone, remove the connective tissues from the tooth and bone, and then remove the teeth and seal the wound with stitches.  After the procedure, you can experience bruising, bleeding, discomfort, and swelling for a few days.

Pineapple juice for wisdom teeth

 

An anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain is found in pineapple, which can help trigger the body’s ability to fight pain and reduce inflammation and swelling. Based on this, people claim that drinking pineapple juice after surgery helps reduce pain and swelling. A few studies examining bromelain more closely demonstrated that it could produce great results.

 

The pineapple plant’s stem and fruit are used to make bromelain supplements. It has been used to treat osteoarthritis as an alternative to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications). It has been demonstrated that administering an enzyme after surgery has anti-inflammatory properties that lessen postoperative complications. 

 

However, no studies prove that consuming pineapple juice while having your wisdom teeth extracted will actually lessen your postoperative swelling. On the other hand, there are some research studies on the bromelain enzyme found in pineapple.

Does pineapple juice help with swelling

Yes, Pineapple juice can help in reducing the swelling and pain after removing the wisdom teeth and also some suggest that it will speed up the healing process. When a wisdom tooth is removed the blood will clot to protect the sensitive tissues and nerves . You can have pain and swelling until the gums closes the extracted tooth area. During this period of time the consumption of pineapple can help in reducing the swelling. 

how much pineapple to reduce swelling

For reducing swelling you need about 500-1000 ml of fresh pineapple juice. Which can give you around 12 grams of bromelain. This is the correct quantity to consume as our body can absorb only 12 grams of bromelain without any side effects.

 

To get 500-1000 ml of fresh pineapple juice. you would typically need 1-2 medium-sized pineapples. One medium pineapple yields about 250-500 ml of juice, depending on the size and juiciness of the fruit. 

Should I drink pineapple juice after or before wisdom tooth removal surgery 

It’s generally recommended to avoid drinking pineapple juice immediately before or after wisdom tooth removal surgery. While pineapple juice contains bromelain, which may help reduce inflammation. But, its acidity could irritate the sensitive tissues in your mouth post-surgery. 

 

Instead, wait a few days after surgery for initial healing before consuming acidic foods or drinks. Always follow your dentist’s instructions on post-surgery care to avoid complications.

Risks involved in increased consumption of pineapple juice

 

  1. Drinking too much pineapple juice can lead to negative effects such as nausea, skin rashes, stomach aches, bloating, heartburn, and diarrhea. It is not recommended for people with diabetes or irregular blood sugar. 
  2. It also contains high amounts of sugar and acid, which can affect your tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Additionally, consuming more pineapple juice can cause hormonal disorders. 

Bottom line

 

Removal of wisdom teeth is not an easy task, but it is appropriate for your youngster to feel anxious and seek any advice that may help them manage their pain and post-surgery side effects. Though some people swear by it, this might not be the best way to recover from wisdom tooth removal. Choose a professional dentist you and your child can trust and pay attention to their instructions.

 

If one of your wisdom teeth is hurting you, contact Surya Dental Care Trichy for a consultation and professional treatment with a compassionate touch.