Many people undergo wisdom teeth removal surgery. The American Dental Association lists a number of reasons you might need your wisdom teeth removed (pineapple juice before wisdom teeth). These include pain, infection, damage to neighboring teeth, cysts and other issues. The odds of your dentist recommending that you have them removed are high.
Keep in mind that surgery is anesthesia-dependent and recovery can take several days. It’s understandable to want a quick and easy recovery.
A TikTok hack is one of the best ways to prepare for recovery. In the hope that it will help reduce pain and inflammation, people drink a lot of pineapple juice before surgery.
This hack may work, but is it really effective for removing wisdom teeth? This is what you need to know.
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From Where Did the Idea to Drink pineapple juice before wisdom teeth?
Although it’s not clear where this began, there are several TikToks that tell the stories of people who have attempted this. @valeriagreenz wrote one that she had 64 ounces worth of pineapple juice before having her wisdom teeth removed. After the surgery, she is seen with gauze in her mouth and, the next day, she is driving her car, smiling and taking pictures in a park. Her face appears unswollen.
She has had several follow-ups. One showed her looking great under the words “Did you just have your wisdom teeth extracted and you’re not swelling at all because of having drank a…ton pineapple juice.” In the caption she also wrote, “Me pineapple juice.”
TikTokker Mackenzie Fuhrman wrote about her experience with pineapple juice after she lost her wisdom teeth. She said that although she doesn’t know what it compares to, she believes that pineapple juice is safe and effective because of its anti-inflammatory properties. But, she will wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Fuhrman later appears groggy after the operation. However, Fuhrman noted that she felt “zero pain” right after the procedure and had minimal swelling. Fuhrman gave her pain a “one-out of 10” on the second day. By day three, Fuhrman had written that she felt great and called it a “definitely a success!”
Although pineapple juice appears to be effective for swelling in some cases, it might not work for all people and it should not be considered the only treatment.
What is Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Wisdom tooth surgery (or wisdom tooth extraction) is when your dentist removes your third molars. This procedure is called Johns Hopkins Medicine. The surgery helps to prevent any complications from occurring, such as tooth decay and infection.
The procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that your doctor will make an incision on your gums to expose the bone and tooth, then remove connective tissue and the tooth. Finally, the doctor will close the wound.
Health was told by Mark Wolff, DDS Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine that dentists often have to remove bone or even cut teeth.
Dr. Wolff explained that you might experience some swelling, bleeding and discomfort for a few days after the surgery. However, everyone reacts differently.
What is the Pineapple Juice Factor?
TikTokkers claims that pineapple contains an anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain. According to this, many people believe that drinking large amounts of pineapple can help reduce swelling and pain following surgery.
In a December 2016 study, the Journal of the International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry published a report that gave patients amoxicillin and bromelain after surgery. They also assessed their pain levels on the first, third, and seventh days. The researchers found that 28 out of 40 patients who received bromelain were “effective”, meaning that it reduced swelling and pain.
In July 2021, an Advances of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery study compared 500 mg of bromelain to 50 mg diclofenac sodium in treating pain and swelling for five days following participants’ wisdom teeth surgeries. Researchers found that people who used brolemain had greater pain scores, swelling and trismus, but statistically, there was no difference in the results of both treatments.
However, there is a caveat: “Studies looking into bromelain for pain reduction and swelling after wisdom teeth extraction [showed that bromelain was in supplement form and had not been taken from food sources.” Jessica Cording, RD, author of 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress & Anxiety, explained Health.
These people did not have pineapple juice. They had bromelain extract. A study published in the Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Research in October 2021 found that fresh pineapple juice after facial surgery “significantly decreased post-surgical pain and swelling [skin discoloration due to bleeding below the skin ]”–] but wisdom tooth extraction was not.
Dr. Wolff stated that it’s difficult to compare pain and swelling following wisdom tooth surgery because everyone reacts differently to it.
Health . “Some data suggests that bromelain may act as an anti-inflammatory agent.” Jamie Alan (PharmD), associate professor of toxicology and pharmacology at Michigan State University told . This should be understood in context. Pineapple juice can be very acidic. This acidity will cause an inflammation in your mouth. The juice will not make your mouth feel better before you have surgery. It may cause more pain.
Alan also pointed out that if you try this trick after surgery, it could cause severe pain. The acid in the pineapple can react to your mouth wounds.
What are the risks of trying this?
Although pineapple juice is generally safe, there are some things you should be aware of. TikTokkers recommend that you consume 64 ounces pineapple juice. That’s quite a lot. Cording stated that he was more concerned about the potential glycemic effects of large quantities of fruit juice, which could be detrimental to the healing process. You will experience energy spikes and crashes as your body processes a lot of sugar.
Cording said that there is also the possibility for digestive discomfort. There are many possible causes of stomach aches, heartburn, and diarrhea.
What else can you do to set yourself up for success in recovery?
Dr. Wolff stated that one of the best things to do after a surgery is to use an NSAID such as Motrin or Aleve. This will help to reduce swelling. Dr. Wolff stated that it works well for pain. You can reduce swelling and reduce pain.
Dr. Wolff stated that ice can be applied to the sides of the face to reduce swelling and pain. These gargles, which contain hydrogen peroxide or salt water, can help reduce swelling. However, you should not swallow them.
If you’re feeling confident that your stomach and mouth can handle the pineapple juice hack, you should try it. The hack is not proven to be effective for everyone, but there are no hard data.
