A TIKTOK TREND INVOLVING PINEAPPLE JUICE The Anti-Inflammatory You Need?
Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage for many young dental patients, and it doesn’t come without its fair share of stories. From viral videos of woozy patients crying post-surgery to entire blog posts about what to eat afterward, there’s no shortage of “expert” tips. In the last year, several videos of people drinking 64 ounces of pineapple juice prior to wisdom teeth surgery have gone viral on TikTok. The idea is that because pineapple contains bromelain, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, drinking the juice prior to surgery can reduce or eliminate potential swelling after the operation. The video makers claim that their swelling was minor post-surgery and encourage others to try this “hack.” They may not be totally wrong. A 2014 study found that patients who were given bromelain supplements after wisdom teeth extraction surgery experienced less inflammation than their placebo counterparts. Another 2016 study found that bromelain offered a powerful boost to those who also took amoxicillin (which can have anti-inflammatory properties) post-surgery. It’s worth noting, though, that none of these studies included pineapple juice; patients were given supplements instead.
Before you buy all the pineapple juice you can find, dental experts are cautioning patients against this trend. The reason is simpler than you think: It’s bad for your teeth! Pineapple juice is highly acidic, and it contains high levels of sugar. So, while you may lower your chances of swelling post-surgery, you could create an unhealthy oral environment right before a major trauma occurs in your mouth. Drinking something so acidic with open wounds in your mouth can be dangerous and painful, too. Furthermore, other health experts point out that too much pineapple juice can wreak havoc on your digestive system, menstrual health, and heart health. So, 64 ounces of pineapple juice may not be the answer for wisdom teeth surgery swelling, but dental professionals do greenlight drinking a serving or two prior to surgery — and before they need to stop eating or drinking — if patients wish to do so. It just may offer the little boost you need without the negative impacts of too much juice.
“I am experienced enough to do this. I am knowledgeable enough to do this. I am prepared enough to do this. I am mature enough to do this. I am brave enough to do this.” –ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ
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