22 Sep 5 Best Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Are you gearing up for a wisdom tooth extraction? After surgery, your mouth will need time to heal, so you’ll need to adjust your diet to soft and easy-to-eat food. Stocking your kitchen with the right foods can help you feel at ease, knowing your recovery will be as comfortable as possible. We put together this guide on the best foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal, and a food timeline to help ensure a speedy recovery.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Food Timeline
If your surgery involves general anesthesia, you can expect to have to fast for 12 hours before your appointment time. You can then start eating again a few hours after your wisdom teeth removal appointment is over. However, you will need to stick to soft foods for at least a week.
Here’s a look at the typical timeline for what types of food to eat after wisdom teeth removal:
- First 24-48 hours: Consume mostly liquids and extremely soft foods like blended soups, apple sauce, and yogurt.
- Day three or four: Start adding semi-soft foods like eggs and oatmeal to your diet.
- Day five and beyond: Gradually start transitioning to solid foods. If chewing causes pain, stick to soft and semi-soft foods until you can comfortably chew solid foods.
What to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
In addition to knowing what foods to eat and when to eat them, you also need to know how to eat after wisdom teeth removal without causing more damage. The empty sockets left behind after the extraction will need a few days to form blood clots so they can heal properly.
When eating, make sure to chew away from the extraction site so you don’t disrupt the healing process. It’s also important to avoid warm or hot foods and liquids for the first few days after your surgery, because heat can also impact healing. Avoid drinking through a straw, which can dislodge the vital blood clot that forms to protect the wound.
You’ll need to stick to a soft food diet for as many days as your oral surgeon recommends. Eating hard, sticky, and crunchy foods too soon can prevent blood clots from forming, or pull a blood clot out of the socket. This leads to a condition called dry socket, which can cause significant pain and will require further treatment from your oral surgeon.
The Top Five Soft Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
1: Blended Soups and Broths
Lukewarm blended soups and broths are a perfect choice for the first couple of days after oral surgery. They’re easy to eat, and they won’t irritate your extraction sites as long as the soups are room temperature and don’t contain chunks of food you’d have to chew. Some soups, like tomato and pumpkin, contain essential nutrients like vitamins A and C that help with healing.
2: Smoothies
Smoothies are great for recovery because they are liquid and versatile. You can add plenty of fruits and vegetables to help ensure you get the nutrients your body needs to heal. Just make sure to avoid fruits with seeds (like strawberries) that can get caught in the extraction site.
Greek yogurt is another great smoothie ingredient because it’s full of protein, which also boosts healing. You can start eating Greek yogurt on its own after the first couple of days of recovery.
3: Applesauce
Apples are a great source of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. However, apples are too hard to chew after wisdom teeth removal, so applesauce is the way to go. Applesauce is especially good for the first two days after surgery when you’re still too sore to chew.
4: Scrambled Eggs
As you transition to semi-soft foods, you should add scrambled eggs to your diet. They’re packed with protein, so they’re perfect for recovery. Cottage cheese is a great addition to scrambled eggs, because it is also protein-rich and full of important vitamins and minerals.
5: Mashed Potatoes
If mashed potatoes are one of your comfort foods, you’re in luck! Mashed potatoes are essential for recovery because they are rich in carbohydrates, which are a good source of energy. However, you should only eat lukewarm or cold mashed potatoes to avoid irritating your wounds.
General Aftercare for Wisdom Teeth Removal
After having your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to follow proper aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. Here are some general guidelines for wisdom teeth removal aftercare based on the provided search results:
- Allow time for recovery: Wisdom teeth removal recovery can take about a week. With proper aftercare, most people can resume their daily activities after just a few days. However, the complete recovery process usually takes around 2 weeks. Be patient and give your body enough time to heal.
- Manage pain and swelling: It’s common to experience pain and swelling after wisdom teeth removal. To alleviate discomfort, you can apply an ice pack to the affected area for the first 24-48 hours. After that, you can switch to warm compresses or use saltwater rinses to promote healing and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be recommended by your dentist.
- Take prescribed medications as directed: Your dentist may prescribe medications such as antibiotics or painkillers to aid in your recovery. Follow the instructions provided by your dentist carefully and take the prescribed medications as directed.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: While recovering from wisdom teeth removal, it’s crucial to keep your mouth clean to prevent infections. Gently brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical area, starting from the day after surgery. You can also rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times a day. Be cautious not to spit forcefully, as it can dislodge blood clots and hinder the healing process.
- Rest and avoid strenuous activities: Resting and avoiding strenuous activities during the initial days of recovery is recommended. Physical exertion can increase bleeding and delay healing. Take it easy and allow your body to recover.
- Attend follow-up appointments: Make sure to attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your dentist or oral surgeon. They will evaluate your healing progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
Remember, these guidelines are general and may vary based on your specific situation and the instructions provided by your dentist or oral surgeon. It’s always best to consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice and recommendations.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in Prescott, Arizona
If you’re wondering whether you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, contact Prescott Dentistry. We’ll examine your wisdom teeth and determine whether extraction will be necessary. We can also walk you through the wisdom teeth removal process, including recovery and what foods to eat. Waiting too long to remove your wisdom teeth can affect the rest of your teeth, so don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation. Call us at 928-445-1660 today to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (9/22/2022). Photo by Andrea Niosi on Unsplash (cropped)