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bowl full of vegetables foods to eat after wisdom tooth removal
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Many people undergo a wisdom tooth removal procedure to prevent problems like oral infections, crowding, tooth decay, and damage to adjacent teeth. If you’ve recently undergone this minimally invasive dental procedure, knowing what to eat and what to avoid will accelerate recovery from wisdom teeth removal.

Wisdom teeth removal aftercare is necessary to minimize the risk of complications such as pain, dry socket, infection, etc. as well as reduce swelling and aid the healing process. After the wisdom teeth removal, the foods you eat must be soft and rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to provide nourishment.

What to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

People who just got their wisdom tooth removed must be wondering, “what food can I eat after tooth extraction?” Can I eat soup after wisdom teeth removal! Can I eat mashed potatoes after wisdom teeth extraction! These are some common queries dentists receive after wisdom tooth removal. Find all the answers in this section.

  1. Blended Soup or Bone Broth: Lukewarm blended soups or bone broths will not only help you meet your daily nutrition recommendations but also keep you hydrated which is important after wisdom teeth removal.
  2. Instant Oatmeal: Oats are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers and so they make for a super healthy meal. Since oatmeal has a smooth consistency, it is less chewy and it will also help you avoid irritation.
  3. Yogurt: Yogurt is an ideal food to eat after teeth extraction as it has a smooth and creamy texture. Greek yogurt is loaded with protein and minerals that will accelerate your recovery and its cold temperature will have a soothing effect.
  4. Smoothies: Loaded with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, smoothies or milkshakes are a perfect snack for post-operative dental patients. They are wholesome, filling, and make it much easier to take the medicines prescribed for pain, swelling, and discomfort.
  5. Apple Sauce: Apple sauce is rich in dietary fiber and Vitamin C and its pureed texture require very little jaw movement. Apple sauce is a cool confection that will soothe the inflammation and promote the healing process.
  6. Mashed & Boiled Potatoes, Bananas, Pumpkin, and Beans: Mashed potatoes, pumpkins, and bananas are amongst the most popular vegetables and fruits globally. They are incredibly nutritious and soft to eat.
    Beans are also full of protein and other nutrients, which are helpful for quick healing. And cooked beans are super easy to consume.
  7. Scrambled Eggs: Eggs are also one of the superfoods with lots of nutrients. When you scramble them, they become soft and easy to chew. While you are in your healing period, buy posturized, and omega-3 enriched eggs. Omega-3 facilitates quick healing of the surgical wound.
  8. Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is not as calorie-rich as regular cheese, and it has lots of minerals and vitamins. It’s an excellent nutritious, protein-rich, and soft food for someone recovering from wisdom tooth removal. You can add it to scrambled eggs or smoothies.
  9. Ice cream and sorbets: Ice cream and sorbets are easy to consume and help numb the pain and soreness of the wounded area. But generally, ice creams are high in sugar and fat so try to eat homemade fruit ice-creams.
  10. Jell-O and Puddings: They are available in multiple flavors, and they pretty much fulfill your hunger. The best part is getting a mix of delicious flavors that are soft on your teeth and jaws during your healing period.

What Not to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

In addition to knowing the right foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal, it is just as important to know the foods to avoid after teeth extraction. Make sure you avoid these 5 types of food for a faster recovery.

  1. Hot and Spicy Foods: Can you eat spicy food after wisdom teeth removal? Hot and spicy foods are an absolute no-no after a wisdom tooth extraction. The hot spices can break the blood clots in the healing socket and cause an infection.
  2. Hard and Crunchy Foods: Hard and crunchy foods can get stuck in the sockets and invite a dental infection that you don’t want to deal with. So, no matter how bad you want them, stay away from them and you’ll be glad you did.
  3. Soda and Sugary Foods: Fizzy, carbonated beverages weaken the blood clots in the socket and cause them to dislodge. Sugary foods can also be quite damaging, especially when you are just recovering from wisdom tooth removal. A couple of days without sugar and soda won’t hurt you much.
  4. Alcohol: Consuming alcohol right after a wisdom tooth extraction will interfere with the healing process. It will worsen the pain and swelling. So even if you cannot curb the desire, it only makes sense to just say no.
  5. Small Foods: When can I eat seeds after wisdom teeth removal? Small foods include sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and grains, which are much more likely to get stuck in between the sockets. Not only will these small foods increase the risk of infection but also make you rush to your dentist for getting them out. So steer clear of all small foods and stay safe from swelling, bleeding, pain, discomfort, and infections.
  6. Tomatoes or Tomato Sauce: Vegetables like tomato and lemons are acidic and can burn the surgical wound resulting in pain and inflammation. You can have tomatoes in the form of blended soups. But avoid eating raw tomatoes and tomato sauce during the healing period.
  7. Chewy Foods: It’s a big no to eat chewy foods like popcorn and gummies after teeth removal. Your jaw, teeth, and surrounding muscles engage in a lot of activity for a longer time while chewing these types of foods. This can irritate the affected area and delay the healing process.

Why Do You Need to Follow the Dietary Restrictions After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Do you think that why so much emphasis is given on foods to eat after wisdom tooth removal! It’s because of the following 3 reasons:

  • Hard and crunchy food can damage the part of your mouth and jaw which recently went through surgery. They can injure tissues and cause bleeding. Sticky food also has the same effect.
  • The blood clot in the unhealed area of your mouth caused due to injury by hard and sticky food causes a dry socket. Your bones and nerves are exposed, and you go through intense pain in the affected area. Therefore you need to be extra cautious regarding what to eat after wisdom tooth removal.
  • Chewing hard and sticky food puts excess pressure on your jaw and surrounding muscles. As a result, the healing gets delayed, and you go through additional pain and soreness.

When Can You Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

You must wait for your mouth to get regular, free from the numbness of the anesthesia. It’s important because you may bite the inside of your cheek, tongue, or lip if your mouth is numb.

Also, the general rule of thumb is to eat only soft foods, as mentioned in this post, for the first 24-48 hours of the intervention. But it’s best to ask your dentist for dietary instructions.

Wrapping up!

This is all about what can you eat and not eat after wisdom tooth extraction. Following these wisdom teeth removal aftercare tips will ensure that your mouth heals at its own natural pace and help you avoid oral complications in the future.

The recovery may take anywhere between a few days to a couple of weeks. Make sure you plan your diet to include and avoid the foods mentioned above.

And if you haven’t had your wisdom tooth extracted, call Coral Dental Care at 978-607-0110 to know about the gentle techniques used for the extraction of wisdom teeth.

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