What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal (Smooth Recovery)

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set to erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. Unfortunately, due to jaw size evolution, there often isn't enough space for them to come in properly. This can lead to a variety of issues, including:

• Impaction: When a wisdom tooth gets stuck beneath the gum tissue or bone.

• Crowding: Wisdom teeth pushing other teeth out of alignment.

• Infection: Difficulty cleaning wisdom teeth trapped under the gum can lead to infection.

• Pain and discomfort: Pressure from erupting wisdom teeth can cause pain and discomfort in the jaw.

If you're experiencing these problems, your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend wisdom teeth removal.

Why a Smooth Recovery Matters

Sticking to a healthy diet is essential for quick healing after removing your wisdom teeth. The National Health Service (NHS) says that soft food is vital in the first few days to keep you from hurting and help you heal [4]. This helps with pain and lowers the chance of moving blood clots or hurting the extraction sites, which could make healing take longer or cause an infection.

The First 24 Hours - Focus on Liquids

After removing your wisdom teeth, your mouth will probably feel sore and swell up immediately. Sticking to a liquid meal for the first 24 hours is essential to ease pain and speed up recovery. This keeps you from chewing too much, which could hurt the extraction sites.

Examples of Soothing Liquids

• Broth (chicken, vegetable): Warm broths give you liquids and water to stay healthy [1].

• Smoothies (made with yoghurt, fruits, and vegetables): Blended smoothies are a healthy way to stay hydrated and get vitamins and minerals [2].

• Milkshakes (avoid using straws): For extra protein and calories, select thick, creamy milkshakes made with milk and vegetables. Straws should not be used because the motion of sucking can move blood clots around [3].

• Nutritional supplement drinks: If you have trouble drinking enough water, consider adding dietary supplement drinks that you can buy (make sure they are dentist-approved) for a concentrated amount of nutrients [4].

• Water: During healing, it's essential to stay hydrated. Drink water often to keep your mouth wet and help it heal.

Temperature Matters

Pick cool or cold drinks over hot ones whenever you can. Hot beverages can hurt the area where surgery was done and make it take longer to heal [5].

Transitioning to Soft Foods: Days 2-5

As the stiffness and pain decrease, you can slowly add soft foods to your diet after surgery. This usually happens between days 2 and 5. This change should happen slowly and gently so your mouth can heal well. Stick to soft textures that don't hurt the extraction sites and don't need to be chewed too much.

Soft Food Options Packed with Nutrients

• Mashed potatoes: This popular soft food is a great way to get energy-giving carbs. Choose ones that have been mashed with milk or broth to stay hydrated.

• Applesauce and other pureed fruits (avoid citrus fruits): Pureed fruits are a tasty way to get essential vitamins and antioxidants. However, you should avoid citrus foods like oranges and grapefruits because their acidity can hurt the extraction sites [6].

• Scrambled eggs: Eggs are a complete source of protein because they have all nine amino acids your body needs to heal. Scrambled eggs are great for this stage of healing because they are soft.

• Soft-cooked vegetables (avoid raw vegetables): Steamed or boiled vegetables give you essential minerals and vitamins. Don't eat raw veggies because they make you chew more and hurt your mouth.

• Yoghurt: Add regular yoghurt or protein for a treat that calms you down. It has a lot of calcium and probiotics, which are suitable for gut health while you're healing.

• Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is another excellent food high in protein and calcium. It is also delicious and easy to eat.

• Mashed avocado: Mashed avocado gives food a creamy feel and lots of nutrients. It is full of healthy fats and vitamins that your body needs.

• Oatmeal: This hearty and healthy breakfast choice is easy to digest and gives you energy that lasts all morning. Adding nuts, mashed banana, or a honey drip can make it taste better.

• Soft pasta and noodles (without chunky sauces): Noodles and pasta simmered are good carbs. Choose smooth sauces like cream or cheese sauce instead of chunky ones that could make your mouth hurt.

Different is Crucial

Try to eat various soft foods to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need for the best health.

Tips for Maintaining a Soft Food Diet: Maximizing Comfort and Healing

Changes must be made to how you eat for a few days after removing your wisdom teeth. Here are some suggestions to help you feel better and get better faster:

• Cook or soften foods thoroughly: Ensure that all the food is cooked until it is very soft or mashed so that it is easy to swallow and requires little eating. This will help your mouth and extraction places feel less stressed.

• Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces: By cutting foods into small pieces, even soft ones, you don't have to chew as much, which makes eating more comfortable.

• Chew gently on the opposite side of your mouth from the extraction sites: This helps keep the surgery sites from getting irritated or painful.

• Avoid using straws: The sucking motion that comes with using a straw can break up blood clots, which could slow down healing or cause an infection. To drink liquids, choose a spoon or cup.

Maintain good oral hygiene: Even though it might initially hurt, slowly rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after meals removes food particles and helps the body heal [4].

Foods to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Prioritizing Healing

After taking your wisdom teeth out, you should eat a soft diet. Still, it's also essential to know which foods can slow down mending or irritate the areas where the surgery was done. Don't do these things:

• Crunchy or hard foods (chips, crackers, nuts, raw vegetables): You have to chew these things for a long time, which can be hard on your mouth and could move blood clots around.

• Spicy foods: Spicy ingredients can irritate surgery sites, making them hurt and uncomfortable.

• Sticky foods (caramel, candy): Sticky sweets and treats are more likely to get stuck in the extraction sites and cause infections.

• Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes) are acidic, hurting your mouth and slowing healing [6].

• Hot foods: Chewy meats like steak or jerky, chewy bread, and tough veggies are all foods you need to chew a lot. During this time, choose foods that are softer and easy to chew.

• Chewy meats like steak or jerky, chewy bread, and tough veggies are all foods you need to chew a lot. During this time, choose foods that are softer and easy to chew.

Returning to a Normal Diet: When and How

In most cases, you should be able to slowly go back to your regular food a week after having your wisdom teeth taken out. However, this time frame can change based on how fast you heal. Paying attention to your body and slowly adding things back in is essential.

Gradual Reintroduction is Vital

The one-week mark is a good starting point, but putting your health first as you heal is essential. Remember these things:

• Start by gradually adding softer solid foods: Once you feel safe with the soft foods listed, you can start giving them more solid foods with a smoother texture. Cooked fish, well-done ground meat, and soft cheeses are all examples.

• Listen to your body: If eating hurts or makes you feel bad, switch to soft foods for a few days and try again later.

Avoid previously restricted foods

Tangy, spicy, acidic, crunchy, and sticky until fully healed.

Conclusion

A healthy diet helps you recover quickly and comfortably after removing your wisdom teeth. Following a liquid diet for the first 24 hours and then a soft food diet for the next few days can help you feel less pain, avoid problems, and let your mouth heal properly.

Remember that the information and tips in this article are meant to help you in general. Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about what you should eat based on your specific needs. They can advise based on your particular needs and your improvement.

FAQs

Do I always need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

Only some of the time. Wisdom teeth should only be removed if they are impacted, which means they are stuck, causing pain, infection, or pressure on other teeth. Based on X-rays and exams, your dentist or oral surgeon will tell you what to do.

What are the risks of wisdom teeth removal?

Some rare risks are infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and problems with the sinuses. These risks can be significantly reduced by following your dentist's post-surgery directions.

How long does wisdom teeth removal surgery take?

The surgery can last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on its complexity. However, more time is needed to prepare for surgery and recover at the dentist's office afterwards.

How much pain can I expect after surgery?

After surgery, you may feel some pain and soreness, which can be controlled with medicine your dentist gives you.

How long will the swelling last?

Swelling is a normal reaction to surgery. It usually gets worse around the second day and gets better over the next few days.

When can I go back to work or school?

As long as they aren't too active, most people can return to work or school one to three days after surgery.

What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?

Stick to clear drinks like water, broth, and juices that have been diluted right after surgery. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, yoghurt, and applesauce should be added slowly over the next few days. Once you feel better, slowly add soft, firm foods to your diet before returning to your normal one.

What should I avoid eating after wisdom teeth removal?

After surgery, don't eat anything chewy, hot, acidic, or sticky for at least a week. You might hurt the extraction sites, making it harder for them to heal.

References

• [1] British Dental Journal: Guidelines for the management of dental emergencies https://www.nature.com/bdj

• [2] The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: Diet after oral surgery https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/

• [3] The British Association of Oral Surgeons: Wisdom teeth removal - Aftercare advice https://www.baos.org.uk/

• [4] NHS Choices: Wisdom teeth https://www.nhs.uk/

• [6] The British Dietetic Association: Food and drinks after tooth extraction https://www.bda.uk.com/