Skip to main content

After Wisdom Tooth Removal, Eat with Care

After wisdom tooth removal, you’ll need to change your eating habits for a few days to avoid aggravating the extraction site. You’ll still have plenty of options to keep you full and satisfied, but you’ll need to be careful about what and how you eat.

Eat with Care After Wisdom Tooth Removal

For a recovery that’s as quick and painless as possible, check out our tips for eating after wisdom tooth extraction.

What Should You Eat After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

  • Opt for liquids for the first few hours after your procedure — milk, water, tea and broth are all good choices.
  • Fill up on soft foods that don’t require any chewing. Try applesauce, yogurt, pudding, flavored gelatin or mashed potatoes, for example.
  • Try soft foods that are easy to chew once you feel ready. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, rice, soup and pasta are all fair game.

What Should You Avoid After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

  • Avoid drinking through a straw, as it can dislodge the blood clot protecting the extraction site and cause dry socket, a painful condition that prolongs the recovery period.
  • Avoid crunchy, chewy or sticky foods because they can irritate the extraction site.
  • Don’t consume acidic or spicy foods and beverages, as they can cause pain and stinging.
  • Don’t eat or drink anything that’s too hot. Your mouth may be sensitive to temperature after your tooth extraction.

Tips for a Smooth and Easy Wisdom Tooth Extraction Recovery

First, don’t smoke after your tooth removal. Similar to the suction necessary for drinking through a straw, smoking can lead to dry socket. The longer you can go without a cigarette, the better — maybe now’s a good time to ditch the habit?

During the tooth removal recovery period, you’ll also need to take it easy. Physical activity can cause pain and bleeding at the extraction site, so avoid heavy lifting, bending and any form of exercise for a couple of days or however long your oral surgeon recommends. When you return to your regular activities, do so gradually.

Keeping your mouth clean is essential when you’re recovering from wisdom tooth extractions. Rinse with warm, salted water at least a few times per day until you can resume brushing. Be gentle with brushing until healing is complete, steering clear of the extraction site.

When you visit Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah for wisdom tooth removal, our professional team will give you specific aftercare instructions for a speedy, comfortable recovery. Follow our advice, and you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite foods in almost no time at all.

Do you have more questions about recovering from wisdom tooth extractions? Contact our Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan or Tooele office and schedule a wisdom tooth removal consultation today.

Tags:

Comments are closed.

Click to open and close visual accessibility options. The options include increasing font-size and color contrast.