Can Pineapple Juice Help Wisdom Tooth Recovery?

A natural part of recovery from wisdom tooth extraction is to experience some minor pain, bleeding, and swelling. However, there are steps you can take to alleviate this. Some advice has gone viral on TikTok by users claiming to have a trick up their sleeve to help speed up their recovery, but is there any truth to it? Read on in this blog from Urban Dental Studio to find out.

The Claim: Drinking Pineapple Juice Reduces Swelling & Inflammation

TikTok users have started a viral trend of drinking 64 ounces of pineapple juice before getting their wisdom teeth removed, claiming that it helps aid in the recovery process by reducing swelling and inflammation.

One person started the trend by claiming that she drank 64 ounces of pineapple juice because she heard it reduces swelling. She then posted the results which showed her having very minimal swelling directly after wisdom tooth surgery. The trend has since gained traction with many other TikTok users giving it a try.

The Truth: Pineapple Juice Contains Anti-Inflammatory Enzymes

So, does drinking 64 oz of pineapple juice really do anything to improve your post-extraction recovery? There is a bit of truth to the trend. Pineapple juice and pineapple fruit contain the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain. 

Anti-inflammatory properties can reduce swelling and pain. Okay, but why pineapple juice? Well, studies have shown that this particular enzyme is more anti-inflammatory than other enzymes. However, you would need to drink a large amount of pineapple juice to consume enough of the enzyme to reap any benefits. 

There is also no scientific consensus on the effectiveness of bromelain and the reduction in swelling and inflammation could be attributed to other factors.

Should You Drink Pineapple Juice To Heal From Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

64 oz is a lot of juice to drink and since it's high in sugar and acidity which can cause enamel erosion and increase your risk for cavities, we don’t recommend drinking this much. It can also have more serious effects on diabetics and can lead to digestive issues. 

You should not consume more than 8 oz of pineapple juice a day, which would not be enough bromelain intake to make much of a difference. You would be better off eating the whole pineapple fruit rather than pineapple juice or talking to your doctor about taking a bromelain supplement. 

Have Wisdom Tooth Pain? Schedule Your Consultation At Urban Dental Studio!

If you’re concerned about managing pain, swelling, and inflammation after having your wisdom teeth removed, speak to your dentist. There are better and healthier ways to recover from wisdom tooth surgery than chugging down bottles of pineapple juice. 

Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pain medication, and following aftercare instructions are your best bet for reducing swelling and inflammation. If you’re experiencing symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, contact us at Uban Dental Studio today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Anum Zaidi.