After a wisdom tooth extraction, you should avoid certain types of foods. If you eat them, you may experience unwanted side effects and pain. To avoid that, you should be honest about what you should not eat. Being honest will help you recover faster and return to your normal routine.
Many healthy and simple-to-chew foods can help you acquire the nutrition you need as you recuperate after wisdom tooth removal. The healthiest things to consume after wisdom tooth removal are discussed in this article, along with advice on how to keep a balanced diet while recovering.
Foods to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Extraction
A common dental treatment called a wisdom tooth extraction includes pulling one or more of the third molars, sometimes called wisdom teeth. These teeth are in the rear of the mouth and frequently do not have enough room to erupt properly, causing discomfort, an infection, and other dental issues.
Following wisdom tooth removal, it’s crucial to eat only soft foods for the first several days so that the extraction site can heal correctly. This entails avoiding items that could aggravate the wound or interfere with the blood clot that forms at the extraction site, such as rough, crunchy, or spicy meals. You can gradually add more solid foods to your diet as you heal.
After surgery, your diet should consist of soft, simple-to-chew meals. They should also be rich in vitamins, minerals, energy, and protein to promote wound healing.
Fruits
After a wisdom tooth extraction, you will be on a liquid or soft food diet to reduce the pain and promote healing. These foods include milkshakes, smoothies, yogurt, and even ice cream. You should avoid consuming seeds, however, as these can lodge in the wound and irritate.
Vegetable Juices
The banana juice is a great after-wisdom tooth-extraction beverage. Bananas have a soft texture, are highly nutritious, and offer a variety of vitamins and minerals. Bananas can help soothe the wound and reduce pain and swelling. Banana ice cream is also a great treat after wisdom tooth extraction. While regular ice cream tends to be high in sugar and fat, banana ice cream is a healthy and delicious alternative.
Pre-Cooked Foods
Eating after oral surgery is essential for recovery. While many comfort foods are off-limits, a variety of pre-cooked foods can provide the nutrients you need for a speedy recovery. The list below contains pre-cooked foods that are safe after wisdom tooth extraction.
Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the best foods to eat after wisdom tooth extraction. It is soft, has nutrients that help the body heal, and keeps the digestive system regular. Yogurt is also high in zinc, which aids the healing process. It is important to choose a plain yogurt that does not contain fruit seeds. If you want to spice up your yogurt, try adding some granola or candy.
Fish
Salmon is one of the best fish to eat after a wisdom tooth extraction. Salmon is a healthy choice because it is soft and easy to chew. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation. You can prepare it in various ways, including oven or stovetop cooking.
Cottage Cheese
The first few days after a wisdom tooth extraction is a time for soft foods, including cottage cheese and ice cream. These foods can be eaten with a spoon not to irritate the newly operated gums. However, do not consume too much of this food. Cottage cheese has a creamy texture and is high in protein and fiber. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol and very hot or cold drinks.
Applesauce
Applesauce as a food to ingest after wisdom tooth extraction has many health benefits. It’s easy to digest and contains vitamins and minerals. It also helps to build the immune system and improve digestion. You should avoid eating whole apples, which can irritate them. Instead, eat applesauce, which is made from a pureed apple. You can also eat ripe bananas, which are sweeter and rich in vitamins and minerals.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a healthy food packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It also has a slightly chewy texture that helps with the recovery process. You can begin eating oatmeal a couple of days after wisdom tooth extraction, although you should avoid eating steel-cut oatmeal for three days after the procedure.
Fish Soup
Soups are ideal foods to eat after wisdom tooth extraction since they don’t require chewing and don’t have any things that may irritate the area where the tooth has been removed. They are also packed with vitamins and minerals and help you stay hydrated. There are many types of soups, including tomato, pumpkin, and cream of celery. Some are made with meat or vegetables for a complete protein meal.
Instant Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal is a good choice for people who avoid eating solid food for three days after wisdom tooth extraction. It contains a rich amount of protein and fiber and is easy to prepare. It is also easy to digest and can help you avoid irritation and pain. However, you should ensure that you use instant oatmeal and not the traditional kind. The instant version is soft and has fewer bits than other types.
What Foods to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Extraction?
Various foods can aggravate the surgically repaired sores in your mouth as they recover.
Following wisdom teeth removal, avoid the following foods:
- Spicy foods may sting and irritate.
- Foods that are crumbly and crunchy, such as chips or cookies, may become stuck in the wound and prevent it from healing.
- Most grains and seeds: can obstruct healing by becoming trapped in the wound.
- Chewy foods: especially right after surgery when your mouth is still numb, can increase your risk of biting your cheek, lips, and tongue.
- Alcohol should be completely avoided during the healing process because it could aggravate the wound or interact with any prescription medications.
Additionally, it’s crucial to refrain from using a straw as you heal from wisdom tooth removal. Straws increase the likelihood of getting a dry socket because they create suction in the mouth.
In a painful condition known as a dry socket, the clot keeping the region where the tooth was removed from infection breaks loose. Because of this, the underlying nerves and bones are exposed to the air, which hurts and slows down the healing process.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal can I Eat Normally?
Generally, following a liquid or soft food diet for the first 24 to 48 hours following a wisdom tooth extraction is advised. This is because chewing and swallowing solid foods may be challenging while the area where the teeth were extracted is swollen and uncomfortable.
You can gradually add more solid foods to your diet after the first day or two as you feel comfortable. To help the extraction site heal properly, you should stay away from extremely tough, crunchy, or spicy meals for at least a week.
It’s crucial to adhere to your oral surgeon’s post-operative care instructions, including any dietary and exercise suggestions. You should contact your oral surgeon for additional guidance if you have any worries about your recovery or chronic pain or discomfort.
What Helps Wisdom Teeth Heal Faster?
You can do the following to hasten the healing of your wisdom teeth:
- Observe the post-surgery care instructions provided by your oral surgeon: This can entail taking your regular medications, using ice packs to minimize swelling, and gargling with saltwater.
- Maintain the extraction site’s cleanliness by gently rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater several times daily to help flush out food debris and avert infection. The blood clot that develops at the extraction site might be disrupted by forceful rinsing or spitting, which will slow recovery.
- Eat soft foods: Eat only liquids or soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. As you feel more at ease, gradually add more solid foods until the extraction site has healed, and stay away from hard, crunchy, or spicy foods.
- Avoid drinking and smoking: Both substances might slow recovery and raise the possibility of problems following wisdom teeth removal.
- Rest well: Taking it easy and resting well can aid a speedier recovery. Stay away from physically demanding activities until you are healed from surgery.
For post-operative care, it’s crucial to adhere to your oral surgeon’s recommendations. You should also contact them if you have any questions about your recovery.
How Long Should you not Eat Before Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Before the wisdom tooth removal operation, it is typically advised to refrain from eating for a while. Depending on the type of anesthesia being used and the particulars of your surgery, you’ll be given specific advice on when to cease eating and drinking before having your wisdom teeth removed.
A typical rule of thumb is that if you are getting general anesthesia, you should avoid eating and drinking at least 8 hours before surgery. To ensure your operation is safe and successful, it’s crucial to adhere to your oral surgeon’s instructions carefully. Before the operation, discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your oral surgeon or anesthesiologist.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to choose foods with a soft texture and are high in nutrients if you recently had your wisdom teeth removed. Healthy soft foods not only aid in rehabilitation but also lessen pain. After having your wisdom teeth removed, you should eat these foods:
Soups, broths, smoothies, greek yogurt, mashed potatoes, uncooked eggs, bananas, cottage cheese, banana ice cream, fish, pumpkin, and instant oats.
Stocking your pantry with these delectable delicacies before removing your wisdom teeth can help ensure that you stay nourished and satisfied after surgery.
