What To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Extraction

A liquid diet is recommended.

What you eat following wisdom teeth extraction can have a big impact on how you feel during your recovery. While you can expect to be sore and maybe swollen following oral surgery, most patients do not experience high levels of pain after their extractions. Your doctor provides detailed instructions about dietary restrictions and foods to avoid during your recovery period in order to help you follow the smoothest, most comfortable post- operative course possible.

Good Nutrition Supports Healing

Diet plays an important role in the healing process. Making sure you are getting good nutrition, plenty of protein and vitamins is important for your healing body. Let’s face it, when your mouth is sore, you are probably not going to be munching on a healthy salad, nor should you!

Yes, You Do Need to Stick to a Liquid Diet…Sorry

A liquid diet is strongly advised for the first two weeks following wisdom teeth surgery. The primary reason to stick to a liquid diet is to avoid having food particles get trapped below the gum tissue, inside the tooth socket. When food particles become trapped, they can cause a lot of pressure and increasing pain. The majority of patients who see their doctor complaining of “dry socket” after surgery actually have increased pain from food trapped in the sockets.When the food is removed and the socket cleaned, the symptoms subside.

Your healing tooth socket is basically an open wound. If you rub a plate of spaghetti and meatballs into an open wound on your arm, it is going to cause pain. The same is true for your mouth. When food particles get trapped in the socket, and stay there for any length of time, they can cause irritation, pain and even infection.

Sticking to a liquid diet also supports healing.  Limited movement from biting and chewing helps prevent disturbance of the surgical area, allowing healing to take place faster.

We Can Help You Do It!

How are you going to stick to a liquid diet for 2 weeks? The fact is, it is not easy, but it can be done with a little bit of planning and willpower. In addition, over time, soft solid foods can be added to your diet during the end of the second week, as long as you are being very diligent about irrigating the lower tooth sockets well after each meal.

Milkshakes are going to get old really fast, and you are going to crave variety. Here are some ideas and suggestions for eating right, after you have had your wisdom teeth removed.

Wisdom Teeth Diet Tips

• Check out some recipes for blended meals, shakes, smoothies and soups on our Pinterest Page.  https://www.pinterest.com/vipsdental/wisdom-teeth-foods/
• You can put almost anything in a blender, it might not look great, but the taste will be the same!
• Supplement your liquid diet with nutrition shakes like Ensure, Boost, or Carnation Instant Breakfast
• Stock up on yogurt, hummus, broth and cream soups.
• Mash cooked vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower and potatoes.
• Stock up on juice drinks such as those available in the produce section at the supermarket.
• Watch this video about foods to avoid and foods to eat during your recovery. https://youtu.be/RQhNN_o5KFU

After your wisdom teeth surgery, eat well, follow your instructions and have a smooth recovery!