Leena Watts
Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, but it is still surgery, and the recovery process can be uncomfortable. A good diet can aid healing and help prevent infection and other complications. Immediately after surgery, patients should stick to a liquid diet or very soft foods that require no chewing, such as yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and jelly. In the first 24 hours, it is also important to avoid using a straw, as the sucking motion can dislodge blood clots and delay healing. From days 2-3, patients can start to introduce soft, mashed foods like oatmeal and soft-cooked vegetables. From days 4-7, more solid foods can be gradually introduced, but anything hard, crunchy, or chewy should be avoided, as it can irritate the surgical site and delay healing.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Soft foods, liquid food diet |
| Food examples | Yogurt, mashed potatoes, jelly, lukewarm soup, eggs, pasta, soft vegetables, chicken, beef, smoothies, applesauce, hummus, ice cream, mashed avocado, blended soups, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes with butter, milk or water, broths, pureed fruits and vegetables, protein-rich foods (fish, chicken, tofu, beans, lentils) |
| Food to avoid | Crunchy or chewy foods, hard taco shells, beef jerky, crunchy bread, raw vegetables, tough meats, nuts, seeds, popcorn, spicy or acidic foods, sugary or sticky foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, hot or cold drinks |
| Drinks | Water, herbal tea, electrolyte-rich beverages |
| Other recommendations | Avoid using a straw, avoid smoking, maintain oral hygiene, gently rinse mouth with warm saltwater |
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What You'll Learn
Soft foods to eat
Soft foods are recommended after wisdom teeth removal to aid the healing process and avoid complications. Here are some soft foods to eat during the recovery process:
Day 1
On the first day after surgery, it is recommended to stick to a liquid diet or very soft foods that require no chewing. This includes:
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes (served lukewarm)
- Jelly
- Smoothies
- Milkshakes
- Broths
- Blended soups (served lukewarm)
Day 2 and Beyond
From the second day onwards, you can start incorporating semi-soft foods, such as:
- Eggs (scrambled or soft-boiled)
- Pasta
- Soft vegetables (mashed or pureed)
- Chicken
- Beef
- Hummus
- Applesauce
- Instant oatmeal
- Toast
It is important to listen to your body and only eat foods that are comfortable. Avoid chewing aggressively near the extraction site, and try to chew with your other teeth. By the second week, you should be able to return to your normal diet.
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Liquid foods to eat
It is recommended to eat soft or liquid foods after having a wisdom tooth removed. This is because they do not require chewing, which can save you pain and help prevent infections or complications.
- Smoothies
- Milkshakes
- Blended soups, such as tomato soup or pumpkin soup
- Yogurt
- Oatmeal
- Hummus
- Applesauce
- Protein shakes
It is also important to avoid certain foods and drinks that can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of developing complications. Avoid crunchy or chewy foods, such as hard taco shells, beef jerky, and crunchy bread. It is also recommended to avoid using a straw for the first 48 hours after surgery, as it can create a suction vacuum in your mouth and risk dislodging the forming blood clot over the extraction sites.
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Foods to avoid
After a wisdom tooth removal, it is important to eat selectively to ensure that the food does not affect the healing process or cause any further issues with your teeth. Here is a list of foods to avoid:
Hard and Crunchy Foods
Hard and crunchy foods can irritate the surgical site and may even dislodge the blood clot that forms, leading to a painful condition called dry socket. Avoid crunchy or chewy foods, such as hard taco shells, beef jerky, and crunchy bread, until the sockets are fully healed.
Spicy and Acidic Foods
Spicy and acidic foods can irritate the surgical site and cause discomfort. It is advisable to avoid hot beverages as well, as the heat can irritate the wound and the suction from drinking can dislodge the blood clot.
Alcohol
Alcohol may irritate the wound or interact with any prescribed medication. It is best to avoid alcohol entirely during the recovery period.
Seeds and Small Parts
Fruits with small seeds, such as strawberries, or any other food with small parts, should be avoided as they may get stuck in the wound or irritate the blood clot.
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How to eat
Eating the right foods after wisdom teeth removal can aid your recovery, while the wrong foods can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of developing complications.
For the first 24 hours, stick to a liquid food diet. This can include lukewarm liquids like water, clear broths, diluted fruit juices, and smoothies. You can also have applesauce, yoghurt, and ice cream. Avoid using a straw, as the sucking motion can dislodge blood clots and delay healing.
From days 2-3, you can start introducing soft, mashed foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soft-cooked vegetables, eggs, and scrambled eggs. You can also start drinking herbal teas. Avoid crunchy or chewy foods, like hard taco shells, beef jerky, and crunchy bread, as they can irritate the surgical site and delay healing.
From days 4-7, as your mouth continues to heal, you can gradually introduce more solid foods. However, continue to avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy, such as nuts, seeds, popcorn, raw vegetables, and tough meats. Spicy or acidic foods should also be avoided, as they can cause discomfort and inflammation.
It is important to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine during this time to avoid developing oral infections at the extraction sites. You can gently floss and brush your teeth starting on day two or three, being careful not to brush over the extraction site to avoid opening the incision.
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What to eat after 24 hours
After the first 24 hours following wisdom teeth removal, you may begin to introduce semi-soft foods to your diet. However, it is important to continue eating soft foods to aid the healing process and prevent complications.
Soft foods that are recommended include soups, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, bananas, and ice cream. Blended soups, such as tomato soup and pumpkin soup, are ideal as they don't contain bits that could irritate the surgical site. Bananas can be mashed to further soften their texture and reduce the risk of discomfort. The coldness of ice cream may also have a soothing effect on the extraction wound, although regular ice cream is usually high in sugar and fat. Applesauce is another option, as it is rich in vitamins B, C, and E and copper, although it may be lower in nutritional content than whole apples.
Semi-soft foods that can be added to your diet after 24 hours include eggs, pasta, soft vegetables, chicken, and beef. However, it is important to avoid anything that requires aggressive chewing near the extraction site, as this can be dangerous and may reopen the wound. It is also important to avoid crunchy, crumbly, or chewy foods, such as hard taco shells, beef jerky, and crunchy bread, until the sockets are fully healed.
In addition to soft and semi-soft foods, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Smoothies and milkshakes are also good options, as they can provide a range of nutrients and vitamins, but it is important to use a spoon to consume them and avoid using a straw, as this can create a suction vacuum in your mouth and risk dislodging the blood clot over the extraction site. It is also recommended to avoid sugary, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages, as these can disturb your teeth and mouth.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to eat soft or liquid foods for the first few days after getting your wisdom teeth removed. This includes yoghurt, mashed potatoes, jelly, lukewarm soup, eggs, pasta, soft vegetables, chicken, beef, smoothies, milkshakes, and ice cream.
Avoid crunchy or hard foods such as hard taco shells, beef jerky, crunchy bread, and apples, as they may damage the wound or get trapped in the recovering area. You should also avoid using a straw for the first 48 hours, as well as smoking and other oral tobacco or nicotine products.
Most people can return to their normal diet within one to two weeks after surgery. However, it's important to pay attention to your body and only progress to harder foods when you feel comfortable doing so.
