What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that usually come in between the age of 17 to 25. Most people do not have the space in their mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth so more often than not, wisdom teeth have to be removed.

If the teeth have erupted through the gums, extraction is often a little easier. During any surgery removing wisdom teeth, your oral surgeon will use an anesthetic to make sure you feel nothing during the surgery. You may have a local anesthesia apply just to the area that’s being worked on or you may be put under general anesthesia or sedated with nitrous oxide.

If your wisdom teeth have not erupted through your gums and are impacted, your surgeon will have to cut into your gums and possibly remove some jawbone to gain access to the tooth. After they have extracted the tooth, they will close the site with stitches that will dissolve on their own so that you do not have to come back unless you have a problem.

How well you follow your post-op directions will determine how quickly you heal. Below we have listed some instructions that you may receive from your surgeon which should be followed to the letter.

What should you eat after wisdom teeth removal?

The longer you allow your body to rest and stick to soft foods, the easier and faster your recovery will be. Below are some examples of foods that would be good to have on hand immediately following your surgery.

• broth and blended soups
• protein packed smoothies
• yogurt and applesauce
• mashed potatoes
• Jell-O, pudding, ice cream and milkshakes

A lot of times, the soft foods that are best post surgery are not very nutritious. It is important to make sure that you are receiving all of the vitamins and nutrients that you need in soups and smoothies.

Foods that should be avoided include:

• citrus juices
• alcoholic beverages
• acidic or spicy foods which can cause irritation and pain
• grains and seeds that can easily become trapped in the extraction site
• popcorn
• sticky, hard, or difficult-to-chew foods that risk reopening the stitches

What do you have allowed yourself to heal for a few days, you can begin to integrate softer foods into your meals such as eggs, oatmeal, pastas, and soft-cooked vegetables.

Preventing Dry Sockets

Dry socket is a painful, avoidable side effect of tooth extraction that can occur between three to five days after extraction. A dry socket develops when the blood clot that fills the extraction site becomes dislodged, exposing bone structure. Preventing dry socket is as simple as following your post op instructions. Smoking, spitting, and using straws are all common culprits of dislodging blood clots in the mouth.

Symptoms of dry socket include:

• an unpleasant taste or odor in your mouth
• extreme aching or throbbing in the gum or jaw near the extraction site
• exposed bone at the extraction site

If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to your oral surgeon immediately. They will help treat the area by flushing them clean of any debris and apply a medicated dressing that you will need to change and keep clean at home.

More on Wisdom Teeth Removal : Impacted Wisdom Teeth