What to eat after wisdom teeth removal?

Understanding what foods you should eat and avoid is crucial to a successful recovery after wisdom teeth removal. In this article we explore the best soft foods to eat after tooth extraction and an in-depth guide on what you can expect after wisdom teeth removal.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth Removal and Recovery

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of molars and teeth to erupt into the mouth. They typically erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 years, coinciding with ages when people are believed to gain more wisdom and maturity. In the past, wisdom teeth were deemed essential for chewing tougher foods. However, modern diets involve softer foods, and our jaws have evolutionarily become smaller, making wisdom teeth currently non-essential. Today, wisdom teeth are commonly extracted due to pain, infection, tooth decay, improper eruption (impaction), crowding, or damage to adjacent teeth.

What to Expect Post-Extraction

Some symptoms can be expected initially after wisdom tooth extraction, such as minor discomfort, swelling, and bleeding. You may even experience trouble opening your mouth widely, as the jaw muscles may be sore after the procedure. These symptoms should subside within a few days, however healing time can be influenced by factors such as the complexity of the extraction, your age, overall health, and compliance with following post-operative care instructions provided by your dentist. Harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol can also negatively impact healing.

Recovery Timeline After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Day 1: Immediate Aftercare

Expect fatigue and hunger post-anesthesia: Dental anesthesia is used to keep you comfortable throughout the extraction. The effects of anesthesia may last for several hours after the procedure, resulting in fatigue and drowsiness. You may also be hungry after anesthesia. It is encouraged to stay hydrated with water and eat soft nutritious foods after wisdom teeth removal.
Stick to a liquid-only diet (no straws or suction): For the first 24 hours after wisdom teeth extraction, you may be advised to stick to liquids to prevent disruption to the healing process. It is crucial to avoid using straws or suction motions, which can dislodge the blood clot forming at the extraction site and lead to complications.
Avoid sugary foods and mouth rinses: It is important to avoid sugary foods, which can promote bacteria accumulation and increase your risk of infection at the extraction site. Mouth rinses, especially with alcohol, should also be avoided due to their potential interference with blood clot formation.

Days 2–3: Gentle Oral Care Begins

Start rinsing with warm salt water or prescribed rinse: On day 2 following wisdom teeth extraction, you may gently rinse with warm salt water or use a prescribed rinse solution provided by your dentist. This can help remove food debris from the surgical extraction site and reduce the risk of infection.
Transition to a limited soft food diet for better nutrition: What to eat after wisdom teeth removal? You can begin to transition to nutrient-rich soft foods. Common soft foods to eat after tooth extraction include yogurt, applesauce, hummus, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes. Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing, or are acidic, hot, spicy, hard, or crunchy.
Continue avoiding chewing near extraction sites: Do your best to avoid chewing near extraction sites, which can disrupt the healing process. The best food to eat after extracting tooth will require minimal chewing.
Steer clear of hot or cold foods and drinks: Foods and drinks that are very hot or very cold should be avoided, as they can disrupt the extraction site and delay healing. What soft food can I eat after tooth extraction? You should opt for lukewarm or room temperature foods and beverages.

Days 4–5: Expanding Your Diet

Begin slowly reintroducing soft solid foods (e.g., eggs, macaroni): Around days 4-5 you can gradually begin reintroducing soft solid foods. Good soft solid foods to eat include scrambled eggs, soft pasta noodles, beans, cooked spinach, and non-fried fish.
Avoid hard or crunchy foods to protect incision sites: Stay away from hard or crunchy foods such as fried foods, chips, crackers, nuts, popcorn, raw vegetables, and hard breads. Foods that are hard, crunchy, or those that require a lot of chewing can lead to complications.

Day 6 and Beyond: Healing Progress

Swelling and sensitivity should decrease: You should notice improvement in swelling and sensitivity nearly a week after wisdom teeth extraction. Speak with your dental provider immediately if swelling and sensitivity worsens or is severe.
Maintain gentle oral hygiene (avoid brushing directly over sockets): Continue regular brushing and flossing gently, avoiding extraction sockets. Continue to avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or using straws.
Continue avoiding crunchy or chewy foods until fully healed: Continue to stay away from crunchy or chewy foods until the extraction site is completely healed. In general, these foods should be avoided for at least 1-2 weeks after wisdom teeth extraction.
Monitor healing and contact the office with any concerns: If signs and symptoms continue to persist or worsen, it is important to contact your dental professional immediately. Early intervention can prevent issues from worsening.

Importance of a Soft-Food Diet

It’s common to question what to eat after wisdom teeth removal. Although there may not be a specific list of best soft foods to eat after tooth extraction, following the general guideline of avoiding sticky, chewy, crunchy, or hard foods is key to a healthy recovery following wisdom teeth removal. Soft foods play a huge role in minimizing pain and irritation by not disrupting the surgical extraction sites. It’s important to consume a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals to help promote healing and minimize risks.

Best Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wondering what to eat after wisdom teeth removal? Below are great options of soft foods to eat after tooth extraction:

Smoothies: Smoothies are one of the most comforting foods to eat after tooth extraction. Smoothies are easy to consume and customize to your taste preferences. You can mix a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein, or dairy or non-dairy products into your smoothies to fit your nutrition needs.
Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt is another one of the best soft foods to eat after dental extraction. Greek yogurt can be a great source of protein, probiotics, and vitamins and minerals that support healthy digestion and healing. The cooling temperature and creamy texture can also provide soothing effects and reduce oral discomfort.
Applesauce: Applesauce has a nice soft texture and is a good food option to eat after wisdom teeth removal. Unsweetened applesauce is the best choice to minimize added sugars and is rich in vitamin C and fiber.
Mashed Bananas: Mashed bananas are soft and rich in fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and folate.
Banana Ice Cream: Homemade banana ice cream, consisting of frozen bananas placed in a blender with your choice of non-dairy or dairy liquid is a soothing food to consume after wisdom teeth extraction. As mentioned, bananas are rich in essential vitamins and minerals that support health and healing.
Avocado: Avocado has a nice creamy texture and is full of healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals including vitamins K, C, and E, and potassium, magnesium, and folate. Avocado can be great mashed and spread on soft bread, with scrambled eggs, or in a smoothie.
Hummus : Hummus is a great source of protein and healthy fats. It is typically prepared using chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, and can be spread on soft breads or with soft vegetables.
Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese, rich in protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals, can be easily prepared with scrambled eggs, smoothies, or fruit.
Blended Soups: Blended soups can provide essential vitamins and miners, especially when full of vegetables. The liquid nature of soup is great after a wisdom tooth extraction, but caution should be taken to ensure the soup is not too hot when consuming to avoid disruption to the surgical site. Make sure to also blend the contents thoroughly.
Broths: There are many different types of nutritious broths, including chicken, vegetable, and bone. Broths are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support healing and may reduce inflammation.
Mashed Pumpkin: There are many health benefits to pumpkin. Pumpkin helps support a healthy immune system and digestion, and is a great source of antioxidants, Vitamin A, C, and E, fiber, and potassium.
Mashed Potatoes: Another one of the great soft foods after tooth extraction is mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes offer a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber.
Instant Oatmeal: Instant oatmeal with a soft and smooth texture is a good food option after wisdom teeth extraction. You can add fruit or honey to oatmeal to add some sweetness if desired. Make sure to allow the oatmeal to cool slightly before eating.
Scrambled Eggs: Scrambled eggs are quick and easy to prepare. They are a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and B12, and zinc, which can help promote healing and recovery.
Salmon: Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fat. Salmon is great baked, poached, or lightly pan-seared.

Foods to Avoid After Extraction

Risky Foods that Can Cause Complications

Hard and crunchy foods: Foods such as chips, popcorn, nuts, and hard candies can cause damage to the extraction site and potentially cause pain and complications like dry socket.
Spicy foods: Peppers, hot sauce, and spicy soups for example can cause inflammation and damage to the extraction site and should be avoided.
Foods with small seeds: Small seeds, such as from berries or grains, should be avoided as they can easily get trapped within the extraction site and disrupt the healing process.
Dairy products and their effects on healing: Dairy products may promote inflammation and infection and possibly interfere with blood clot formation.It is typically recommended to avoid dairy for the first few days after wisdom teeth removal.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Here are some general tips for a smooth recovery following your wisdom teeth extraction procedure:

General Care Tips Post-Surgery

Importance of hydration: Staying hydrated is important for healing and the recovery process. Drinking water is particularly important to help rinse away food particles and debris from the extraction site, reducing the risk of infection.
Recommended oral hygiene practices: Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to preventing infection and promoting healing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss gently, avoiding both brushing and flossing near the extraction site. Also avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, and using straws for the first 1-2 weeks after extraction.
Managing pain and swelling: Some discomfort and swelling are normal after wisdom teeth extraction. Your dentist may recommend using ice packs, warm saltwater rinses, and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol to help manage pain and swelling. Be sure to follow your dental provider's instructions regarding post-operative care and contact them immediately if you notice any severe or persistent complications.

How Great Lakes Family Dental Can Help with Wisdom Tooth Extraction and Recovery

Need your wisdom teeth evaluated? Great Lakes Family Dental provides excellent wisdom tooth extraction and recovery services. Our dentists and oral surgeons at Great Lakes Family Dental will evaluate your wisdom teeth and determine the best course of action. Schedule an appointment today for a consultation.

Conclusion

Wisdom teeth extraction can be a walk in the park with proper planning in advance. Once your wisdom teeth extraction appointment is scheduled, plan out your meals ahead of time to make things easier and help you avoid consuming unfavorable foods. Make sure to prioritize nutrition for healing and comfort after wisdom teeth extraction, including soft and easily digestible foods within your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I stick to a soft-food diet?

In general, you should implement a soft food diet for the first week after wisdom teeth removal. Foods that are hard, crunchy, and sticky can disrupt the surgical site and increase the risk of complications. You should also avoid spicy, acidic, and hot foods and beverages, as they can negatively impact the healing process. After a week has passed, be careful and gradually introduce more solid foods.

Can I consume dairy after wisdom teeth removal?

Typically, it is recommended to avoid dairy for the first few days after wisdom teeth removal. Dairy. Higher levels of calcium in dairy products may potentially interfere with the formation of the blood clot at the surgical extraction site, which can disrupt the natural healing process. Dairy products may also induce swelling and inflammation in the oral cavity, and lead to digestive issues for those with lactose intolerance. Consider opting for dairy-free options and speak to your dentist for specific recommendations on foods and beverages to consume after wisdom teeth removal.

What signs indicate a complication during recovery?

After wisdom teeth extraction, keep a lookout for signs and symptoms of complications such as lingering or worsening pain, fever, redness, swelling, pus, foul oral odor, trouble breathing, or severe vomiting or diarrhea. Infection or other life-threatening issues may be present. If you are suffering from these signs or symptoms or other serious complications, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

How can I make my own banana ice cream?

Bananas are a great soft and nutritious food to consume after wisdom teeth removal. You can make your own delicious banana ice cream at home by freezing sliced bananas and placing the frozen slices in a blender or food processor with a small amount of liquid (dairy or non-dairy).

When can I return to my normal diet?

Most people can return to their normal eating habits after about 7-10 days following wisdom teeth removal. During the first week after the surgery, soft, cool, and non-acidic or spicy foods should be consumed to avoid dislodging the protective formation of a blood clot at the site and disrupting the healing process.

What should I do if I experience a dry socket?

Dry socket is an uncomfortable complication that can occur after tooth extraction if a blood clot is damaged or not properly formed. If you experience a dry socket after wisdom teeth removal, contact your dentist or dental specialist immediately. Your dentist will clean and medicate the socket and may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics. They will also provide you with specific instructions on how to care for the extraction site for proper healing.