How long should I avoid eating on the side where I had surgery?

It is safest to eat on the opposite side until the stitches are removed, usually for 1 to 2 weeks. Chewing on the surgical site can trap food and cause inflammation or open the sutures. After that, recover in this order: 1) soft foods for the first 1 to 2 weeks, 2) gradually building up to a normal diet, and 3) for an implant, limiting use of that area until the final restoration. However, if food gets stuck and will not come out, or swelling and pain return, please come in.