Pineapple Juice and Wisdom Teeth Removal: Does It Help?

Wisdom tooth surgery—or wisdom tooth extraction—is when your dentist or oral surgeon removes your wisdom teeth, the last teeth within your upper and lower jaws. After the procedure, you may have some swelling, bleeding, discomfort, and bruising for a few days as you recover.

Pineapple juice shouldn't be a go-to option to assist in recovery—even though it has vitamin C, which is helpful for wound healing. Research hasn't suggested that pineapple juice will alleviate pain during the recovery period after wisdom teeth removal.

Yet, a 2021 TikTok hack had people drinking pineapple juice before surgery, hoping it would reduce pain and inflammation post-op. It's possible this became an option based on an enzyme found in pineapples called bromelain, which helps with inflammation. Here's what you need to know, including what can help with recovery and when to see a healthcare provider.

What Is Bromelain?

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is anti-inflammatory. Based on that, people claimed that drinking a lot of the juice should help reduce swelling and pain after surgery.

How Effective Is Bromelain?

One study compared the use of 500 milligrams (mg) of bromelain (twice per day) to 50mg of diclofenac sodium (three times per day) in treating swelling and pain for five days after the participants' wisdom tooth surgeries.

The study's researchers found that those who used bromelain initially had higher pain scores, swelling, and trismus—also known as lockjaw. Still, there was no statistically significant difference between both remedies for the effects of the surgeries.

There is a caveat to consider: "Studies looking at bromelain for reduction of pain and swelling after wisdom tooth extraction [showed bromelain has] been in supplement form and not from food sources," Jessica Cording, RD, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian and health coach, told Health.

In other words, these people didn't have pineapple juice: They had bromelain extract. Additionally, most research has focused on the effects of bromelain after wisdom tooth surgery, not before it.

What About Pineapple Juice as a Whole?

Another study found that fresh pineapple juice before and after facial surgery helped with post-surgical pain, skin discoloration, and swelling. However, wisdom tooth extraction was not noted as one of the surgeries.

"There is some data that bromelain can act as a weak anti-inflammatory agent," Jamie Alan, PharmD, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, told Health. "However, take this in context. Pineapple juice is really acidic. This is going to actually set off an inflammatory cascade in your mouth."

This means the juice will not make your mouth feel great before you go into surgery. It can likely cause your mouth to hurt more.

Alan explained that if you try this hack after your surgery, you could be in a world of pain, with the acid in the pineapple reacting to the wounds in your mouth.

Risks and Side Effects

While drinking pineapple juice is mainly harmless, there are a few things to consider. One is that TikTokkers had recommended you drink 64 ounces of pineapple juice before your wisdom tooth surgery—that's a lot.

"I'd be more concerned about the glycemic impact—blood glucose impact—of drinking large amounts of fruit juice being detrimental to the healing process," said Cording. Your body needs to process a lot of sugar in the juice quickly. As a result, you could face high energy spikes and crashes afterward, making you feel terrible.

"There's also the possibility of digestive discomfort," added Cording. For example, fruit juices that contain lots of sugar can lead to diarrhea.

Finally, if you decide to drink pineapple juice, you could be putting your oral health at risk. Both sugar and acid can damage your teeth, causing cavities and weakened enamel (the hard part of your teeth).

That's why it would be necessary to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after drinking pineapple juice or similar drinks—no matter how much.

Recovery Tips

You can take other actions beyond using pineapple juice because of its bromelain content to help with recovery. Consider doing the following:

• Drink liquids without using a straw.
• Refrain from using tobacco products.
• Rest and avoid excessive physical activity following the surgery.
• Take medications prescribed by an oral surgeon if you experience discomfort.
• Use a cold compress to help with swelling.

Saltwater or hydrogen peroxide gargles can also help with swelling, added Alan, noting that you shouldn't swallow these. You might consider rinsing your mouth a few days after the surgery or as directed by the provider who completed the surgery.

When To Call Your Provider

The time it takes for the areas around the extracted tooth or teeth will differ for every person. However, contact a dentist or oral surgeon if you experience new symptoms or any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Constant pain or excessive bleeding later after the procedure
• Coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Infections signs, like fever or chills
• Pain caused by the blood clot falling out of the socket after the procedure
• Rash or hives
• Severe extraction site swelling or pus
  

A Quick Review

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure that can leave you with pain, discomfort, or swelling. Some individuals have suggested drinking pineapple juice before wisdom tooth surgery can reduce swelling.

However, there's no concrete data that confirms this remedy will be helpful for anyone and everyone. So, those who desire to try it should know that it comes with risks—and that there are other better ways to recover from a wisdom tooth procedure.