What to Eat after Wisdom Teeth Removal

what to eat after wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth or the third molars usually appear in your early adult years and are the last to appear.

If your wisdom teeth are growing, your dentist will recommend an extraction if there are issues with how your wisdom teeth are developing.

After the wisdom teeth removal process, there will be postoperative instructions regarding the result of your dental surgery.

A dentist’s evaluation may be different for every patient.

The first question you’ll think of regarding your recovery will be what to eat after your wisdom teeth removal.

The duration and transition from liquid, soft, and solid foods may vary.

Regardless, there are recommended diets and dishes for every category of chewiness or hardness.

The physical impact and the nutritional value of the food are essential in your wisdom tooth’s healing process.

If you don’t know what to eat, you will find the list of foods below to decide.

Moreover, you should know which habits and foods can cause pain and discomfort after a wisdom tooth extraction or it can lead to serious complications.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom teeth come in at the end of each row of teeth and are the last teeth to emerge.

There are usually four wisdom teeth in each jaw, and they may partially emerge or don’t grow out of the gums.

Approximately people ages 18 to 24 years old start to develop their wisdom teeth.

In 80 out of 100 young adults, only one wisdom tooth would stay inside the jaw. Your wisdom tooth can also grow partially, where the crown might still be covered by gum tissue.

When wisdom teeth emerge, they often cause problems for other teeth.

These are called impacted wisdom teeth. Often there isn’t enough space for a wisdom tooth in the gums, requiring an extraction.

They may damage the teeth next to them by growing sideways.

If your wisdom teeth grow at odd angles, it can throw off your bite, build up plaque, increase the risk of cavity and cause infection.

It is recommended to have your wisdom teeth removed early on to prevent any complications it may cause to your teeth or gums.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common procedure performed by dentists.

Most dental health professionals advocate early wisdom tooth removal to most patients.

The procedure is done on a patient under a local anesthetic to numb the area. Patients can also choose to be sedated via IV anesthesia.

When you have your wisdom teeth removed, your dentist will have to cut them out.

They are difficult to pull out because wisdom teeth are found near the end of the gum line.

During a wisdom teeth removal, a dentist will make an incision at the gums to fully access the tooth.

After your wisdom tooth extraction, the incision is stitched to promote healing. A gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site for at least 30 minutes.

What to Eat After You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Out

Pain, inflammation, and jaw stiffness caused by the surgery can make chewing and eating difficult.

After getting your wisdom teeth removed and during recovery, it is advised that patients consume liquid and soft food.

Gradually, you can add more normal foods with more chew as your wisdom teeth heal. Many patients resume normal eating with more solid foods at least a week.

You should eat only liquid or soft foods in the first few days after oral surgery. Liquid foods are the most tolerable for your wisdom teeth.

Additionally, it is crucial to choose the right foods by considering the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals they contain for wound healing.

The following foods listed are healthy options you can incorporate into your diet.

Liquid foods

  • Broths (chicken stock, vegetable stock, or bone broth)
  • Fruit juices
  • Milkshakes and smoothies
  • Greek yogurt
  • Blended vegetable soups (tomato or pumpkin soup)
  • Apple sauce

You can drink these foods without needing to chew or use force with your teeth would be the easiest way to fill the nutrients you need.

They would be absorbed the fastest into your body. A blender or juicer will be helpful to create these meals.

Liquids include apple sauce, fruit juices, smoothies, yogurt, and other foods that are thicker than water but are as tolerable to consume.

They digest very quickly, absorbing the nutrients without being melted down first by your stomach acid.

Blended soups and broths are both easy to eat and can support healing.

These foods don’t contain bits or crumbs that can irritate the wound on the extraction site. Moreover, blended soups and broths can keep you hydrated, which is crucial during recovery.

Apple sauce is made of pureed apples rich in vitamin C, known to boost the immune system.

On the other hand, yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, and zinc. These nutrients can also aid in recovery and wound healing.

Soft and Mashed Foods

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Mashed bananas
  • Mashed avocado
  • Mashed beans
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Pudding
  • Oatmeal
  • Hummus
  • Ice cream

Foods like scrambled eggs, mashed vegetables, hummus, and oatmeal are beneficial because they pack many of the nutrients needed in a compact amount of food.

They are easy to eat as opposed to chewy foods like cooked meat or fresh fruit and vegetables.

If you mash food, it speeds up the digestion time. Vegetables that are mashed are an excellent source of calories and nutrients.

Potatoes or other root vegetables can provide the energy you need even if you consume a small amount.

Soft foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as scrambled eggs and avocado have an anti-inflammatory effect which can aid in recovery.

Banana ice cream or other fruit ice creams low in sugar and fat are better options than store-bought regular ice cream.

Cold foods can have a soothing effect at the extraction sites of your wisdom teeth.

Solid Foods:

  • Salmon
  • Cottage cheese

Although most of these foods should be avoided during the recovery period of your extraction, some foods are easy enough to chew with minimal resistance.

Salmon is the healthiest fish you can eat after surgery.

It is soft, protein-rich, and high in omega 3 fats. Cottage cheese is also rich in protein and is easy to add to other meals.

What To Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Some foods and habits can exacerbate pain and disrupt healing at extraction sites of your wisdom teeth.

Some of these foods are usually unhealthy for your dental health and immune system.

Lifestyle changes by avoiding vices and unhealthy habits are considered factors in speeding up recovery and minimizing complications.

Several things to take note of after wisdom teeth extraction would be the following:

  • Eating unhealthy and hard food while your extraction wound is still healing.
  • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
  • Avoid missing taking your prescribed medication.
  • Avoid spit or using straws ( Causes dry socket )

The extraction site of your wisdom tooth is tender and vulnerable after oral surgery.

These foods can cause irritation, infection, and other serious complications.

It may be tempting to reach for some snacks or tasty food, but you should avoid them until you’re fully recovered.

Foods and drinks to avoid within recovery time of your wisdom teeth extraction:

  • Hard or firm foods (nuts, solid fruits, candy, bread, and jerky)
  • Acidic foods (citrus juice)
  • Spicy foods (chilis and hot sauce)
  • Grains (seeds and rice)
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Hot foods or drinks (coffee and tea)
  • Soda (carbonated drinks)

Why Oral Health Is important

Dental care is a crucial routine for your oral and overall health, which is why it is also essential to maintain a healthful diet.

Knowing the best foods for a balanced diet is key in maintaining proper dental care.

If you frequently consume liquids it will keep you properly hydrated and provide extra protection from oral health problems.

One of the best ways to maintain dental health is to regularly see your dentist at least 2-3 times a year.

Children and younger patients need to be taught the discipline of proper dental care as early as possible to ensure proper maintenance of dental hygiene into adulthood.

Your dentist will be able to determine a problematic wisdom tooth if you keep your teeth in check frequently.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Complications

The wisdom teeth can often cause damage when misaligned and impact surrounding teeth.

When they push against other teeth or come in crooked, emerging wisdom teeth can lead to tooth decay, pain, or swollen gums.

Furthermore, if you disregard your wisdom teeth after extraction, it can lead to serious postoperative complications.

If the issue is not diagnosed correctly or ignored, it can lead to life-threatening consequences.

After the operation, most patients use pain medication.

Sometimes your doctor will immediately prescribe them depending on the severity of the surgery.

Pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can ease discomfort and provide relief.

However, acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin is contraindicated to patients that had their wisdom teeth removed because it can increase the risk of bleeding.

Complications may occur if you don’t follow your dentist’s instructions after your wisdom teeth removal.

A common problem experienced by patients is infection. Furthermore, an infection can also happen as the wisdom tooth emerges.

To prevent infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics. Regularly brushing and using mouthwash is also recommended.

Drinking or eating foods that create suction in your mouth raises the risk of developing dry socket.

It is a painful condition where an empty tooth socket wound fails to form a blood clot.

A dry socket can also be caused when the blood clot is dislodged. Factors that influence this are using straws, smoking, and complications with extraction.

The Bottom Line

After your wisdom tooth removal, your recovery will be a crucial process.

Your dentist will provide aftercare instructions that you will need to follow.

Your diet or the types of food you eat will significantly impact your wisdom teeth. It is essential to eat selectively until the extraction site has fully healed.

If you follow these guidelines thoroughly, there is a lower risk of complications.

Pain and discomfort is a common complaint after oral surgery. Knowing the correct habits and diets can make a recovery more comfortable and quick.

Soft, easy to chew, and healthy foods are recommended. Moreover, you should avoid hard and crumbly food that can get in between crevices.

The hardness of food is not the only consideration.

Healthy foods filled with vitamins, minerals, and protein will aid in the healing of your wound around the extraction site.

You should diligently maintain the diet given depending on your dentist’s evaluation.

It may take from a few days to weeks after your wisdom tooth removal before you can go back to your regular diet.

Before your scheduled appointment, it is a good idea to make sure you have enough food options appropriate for your diet after surgery.

You can stock up on the mentioned foods days before getting your wisdom tooth removed.

If you avoid complications by following good oral health and diet, your tooth socket will heal in at least two weeks.

However, contact your dentist when you experience symptoms of wisdom tooth complications.