Is it Safe to Drink Large Amounts of Pineapple Juice after Wisdom Teeth Surgery that People on TikTok are Doing?

Recently, several young adults have been trying a remedy prior to having their wisdom teeth removed where they drink a large amount of pineapple juice. This has been shared on TikTok by several people.

Mackenzie Fuhrman, who is a 21 year old nursing student, shared on her TikTok a video that shows her with a 46 ounce can of pineapple juice. She also says she has a few smaller cans she will add to it to make 64 ounces. She is doing this based on another TikTok video she saw where a woman named Valeria drank 64 ounces of pineapple juice prior to her wisdom teeth surgery (see https://www.tiktok.com/@valeriagreenz/video/6986417135824145670) as a way to prevent swelling after the procedure and provide nearly instant recovery. Mackenzie said that she further researched about pineapple juice and found scientific proof to back the claims.

In her TikTok video, Mackenzie says that right after surgery she had no pain and minimal swelling. The day after the surgery she was sore but had minimal swelling and did not experience anything she would describe as pain, just some discomfort. Two days after surgery, Mackenzie had hardly any swelling and no pain. Mackenzie also shared that her oral surgeon prior to the surgery thought she would have very little chance of complications and her teeth were not positioned in such a way that the surgery would have been complicated.

@mack_attack323

Did it work?? ##wisdomteeth ##factorcap ##fyp ##lifehack ##funny ##viral @valeriagreenz

♬ original sound – Mackenzie Fuhrman

Therefore, it is important to note that just because these two people on TikTok had no problems after their wisdom teeth surgery except for a little swelling and discomfort this doesn’t necessarily mean everyone who drinks pineapple juice is going to have a similar experience. As has been pointed out on this site before wisdom teeth removal complications do happen.

Pineapple has an ezyme in it called bromelain that triggers the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response including the reduction of swelling. Pineapple is one of the only plants that really has this enzyme. Some small studies have shown that bromelain supplements have an anti-inflammatory effect but other similar studies have shown no effect. Several dietitians contacted by Today [2] feel that the verdict is still out on if pineapple juice has this reduction of swelling effect that has been sometimes observed in these other studies.  

There are also several side effects that can occur with drinking 64 ounces of pineapple juice. Symptoms like a skin rash, nausea, gas, bloating, and diarrhea could occur. There is a lot of sugar and acid in pineapple juice which could even damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Thus if one was to drink a lot of pineapple juice they should rinse their mouth with water afterward. Pineapple juice could also cause excessive menstrual bleeding and heartburn and thus it would be best to speak with a doctor before drinking a large amount of it at once as suggested by the two women on TikTok. Dietary guidelines for 100% fruit juice for adults is 8 ounces a day, which is much less than the 64 ounces in one sitting suggested. If one were to eat the actual pineapple fruit instead of drink the juice perhaps they could still experience some of the benefits of reduction in swelling but not come with the chance of damaging tooth enamel.

Perhaps future studies will look at if eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice the day before wisdom teeth surgery can lead to better outcomes after surgery with respect to swelling. Of course sound thought out scientific studies will large enough sample sizes are much more reassuring to most then just a few small anecdotal reports such as these shared on TikTok.

Sources:

1. Alexa Lisitza, “Teens Are Drinking Half A Gallon Of Pineapple Juice Before Having Their Wisdom Teeth Removed — But Is It Safe?,” BuzzFeed, August 17, 2021.
2. Kerry Breen, “People on TikTok swear by pineapple juice after wisdom tooth surgery. Does it work?” Today, September 2, 2021.