• Pain
• Nutrition

Which Foods Can You Eat After Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If you’ve recently had your wisdom teeth removed, you may be struggling with pain, bruising, and swelling that can make it difficult to eat.

Luckily, there are several great food options that are soft and easy to consume, ensuring you get your essential nutrients without additional discomfort. 

In this article, we’ll explore the best foods to eat after wisdom teeth extraction and which products to avoid to prioritize your oral health. 

Will You Be Able to Eat After Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Once you’ve removed your wisdom teeth your ability to eat will be limited while your mouth heals, but it’s still possible to maintain a balanced diet.

In the first 24 to 48 hours, stick to soft foods to avoid disturbing the surgical site and ensure proper healing.

During this period, foods like yogurt, applesauce, and smoothies are ideal. As your gums start healing, you can reintroduce more substantial foods into your diet. 

Tips for making eating easier after wisdom teeth removal 

Eating after wisdom teeth removal can be challenging and uncomfortable, so it’s important to know what you can do to make this process easier. Here are some useful tips:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, but avoid using straws. The sucking motion can dislodge stitches and delay healing. Opt for water, herbal teas, and clear broths.

• Take small bites: Cut your food into small, manageable pieces to reduce the need for chewing. This will help minimize the risk of disturbing the surgical area.

• Chew on the opposite side: If possible, chew on the side of your mouth opposite the extraction site to avoid putting pressure on that area while it’s healing.

• Maintain oral hygiene: Keep your mouth clean by gently rinsing with warm salt water after meals. This helps prevent infection and promotes healing. You should also avoid brushing directly over the wound for the first few days.

• Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your mouth feels and adjust your eating habits accordingly. For example, if you experience pain or discomfort, switch back to softer foods and consult your dentist if necessary.

The Best Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Soups

Soups are easy to consume and can be packed with nutrients, ensuring your body receives all the essential vitamins and minerals.

They also provide hydration, which can aid in a quicker recovery after surgery.

Opt for smooth, blended soups — like tomato, butternut, chickpea, or potato options — at first to avoid irritating the surgical site. Always ensure that your soup isn’t too hot before drinking it.

Broths 

Similar to soups, broths are light and easy to consume, and they provide essential nutrients and hydration.

They are also great for helping you maintain an electrolyte balance and avoiding any nutrient deficiencies that may develop after adjusting your diet. 

You can opt for chicken, beef, or vegetable broths that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Sip them slowly and make sure they aren’t too hot to avoid irritating the mouth.

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great food to consume after wisdom teeth removal because they are soft and require minimal chewing.

Potatoes are also quite filling and can be flavored in a number of ways, helping you keep meal times interesting during your recovery. 

You can make your potatoes even creamier by adding milk and butter when mashing them. This also adds more calories and nutrients to help you maintain a balanced diet. 

Applesauce

Consuming applesauce can help you increase your fruit intake after surgery and ensure you’re getting enough nutrients. 

Although applesauce is less nutritious than fresh fruit, it still contains important nutrients — like vitamin C — that can:

• Reduce inflammation and pain after surgery 

• Boost your immune system to protect you from infections 

• Improve fibroblast migration, which is essential for proper wound healing 

Remember to choose unsweetened applesauce to avoid unnecessary sugars or make your own version at home for a fresher taste.

Smoothies

Smoothies are versatile and can be packed with fruits, vegetables, and protein to help improve your nutrient intake while you recover. 

Avoid fruits like strawberries and blackberries that contain many tiny seeds when making smoothies.

These seeds can get stuck in the extraction site, which may lead to infections or additional complications. 

Avocado 

Avocados are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals — like vitamins K and C, potassium, and healthy fats — that can help with your recovery.

These nutrients boost the immune system to prevent infection while promoting muscle tissue health to aid the healing process. 

They also have a smooth and creamy texture that makes them easy to eat while recovering from surgery. 

Greek yogurt 

Greek yogurt is high in protein and probiotics, which can improve your overall health. The yogurt’s creamy texture may also help soothe the mouth after wisdom teeth surgery.

Research shows that consuming high-protein foods — like Greek yogurt — may also speed up the recovery process by promoting wound healing. 

Are There Foods You Should Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Spicy and acidic foods 

Spicy and acidic foods can irritate the surgical site, potentially increasing pain and discomfort. They can also contribute to inflammation, delaying the healing process. 

Try to avoid foods like hot peppers, spicy sauces, curries, and any dishes with fiery seasonings. 

Crunchy and crumbly foods

Foods with crunchy textures — like chips, popcorn, or cookies — can break into small pieces that can get lodged in the healing wound. 

This can lead to irritation and inflammation, which can increase your risk of infection. 

The pressure on your teeth when chewing these foods can also disturb the surgical site, causing delays in the healing process. 

Grains, seeds, and nuts

Similar to crunchy foods, small particles from grains, seeds, and nuts can easily get trapped in the wound, causing inflammation or infection. 

These foods may also be difficult to chew, which can aggravate the surgical site and cause additional pain. 

Chewy foods

Chewy foods require more effort to eat, which can put strain on the jaw and extraction site. 

This can lead to increased pain and the risk of dislodging the blood clot that forms in the socket of the gum — an essential part of the healing process. 

You should avoid chewing gum, steak, jerky, and gummy candies while recovering from wisdom tooth extraction. 

Alcoholic and carbonated beverages

Alcohol can interfere with the body’s natural healing process and it may negatively interact with pain medication prescribed after surgery. 

Consuming alcohol can also cause dry mouth, which may delay healing and increase your risk of infection.

Similarly, carbonated beverages can worsen discomfort and disturb the surgical site, causing a delay in the healing process. 

When Can You Follow Your Normal Diet Again?

The timeline for returning to a normal diet after wisdom teeth removal varies from person to person, depending on factors like the complexity of the surgery and your postoperative care. 

During the first 24 to 48 hours after your dental surgery, you’ll typically eat soft foods that are easy to chew and liquids to avoid disturbing the extraction site.

As you progress through the first week, you can gradually start introducing more substantial solid foods into your diet. Continue to avoid hot, spicy, and crunchy foods.

Around the second week, most people can start reintroducing more varied foods into their diet, but it’s important to stick to options that are soft and easy to chew. 

After two weeks, most of the healing should be complete, and you can gradually resume your regular diet and eat solid food again. 

However, it’s still important to listen to your body and avoid any foods that cause discomfort.

Should You See a Doctor About Your Diet After Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

Consulting your doctor or dentist about your diet after wisdom teeth removal is essential for ensuring a smooth recovery.

While general dietary guidelines can be helpful, speaking to your doctor allows you to get personalized advice for your specific needs.

Beyond your diet, you should also consult your doctor after oral surgery if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain or discomfort

• Prolonged swelling or bleeding 

• Difficulties with chewing or swallowing soft foods 

• Nutritional concerns 

• Signs of an infection, such as fever, pus, or a foul taste in your mouth

• Persistent nausea or vomiting 

These side effects may indicate an issue with your diet or adverse reactions to prescribed medications that require immediate medical care. 

Where Can You Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Removal Aftercare?

At LifeMD, we know that removing your wisdom teeth can be a painful experience.

A team of healthcare professionals can provide nutritional advice and prescribe medications for issues like pain and inflammation to help you feel better in no time.

Make an appointment online to get started.

LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.

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