What foods can you eat after wisdom teeth removal

Day 1

On the day of surgery, you will have a moderate amount of discomfort. It is likely you’ll be hungry but won’t want to eat. You should avoid solid foods altogether. Instead, stick to liquids like broth. It is essential that you get enough liquid in your diet, juice, and water are great options. You will want to avoid using a straw as this could cause a dry socket. Dry socket is when the blood clot that forms after surgery is dislodged. This condition can be excruciating. Sucking through a straw can cause the blood clot to come out.

Day 2

After 24 hours, moving on to soft foods is encouraged. You still will want to avoid anything hard, but you can eat items with some substance, including yogurt, pudding, jello, and soups. If possible, avoid the food sitting on the incision site. There will be a great deal of sensitivity, so avoid having overly hot or cold foods. 

Day 3

On day three, you will want to continue eating soft foods, including pudding, jello, soup, and applesauce. You can also incorporate mashed potatoes into your diet for a change of pace. However, you should let any hot food or drinks cool to room temperature. This will reduce the likelihood of causing discomfort. 

Day 4

Continuing with liquids and soft foods is crucial for the next two days. On day four, you can consume cream of wheat, oatmeal, and ice cream. Popsicles can also be eaten, but if you find that the cold of ice cream and popsicles to be uncomfortable, it might be best to avoid for the first few days. In general, many find the cold to be soothing for the swollen gums. 

Day 5

Day five is the last post-operative day, where you should still be having softer foods. Macaroni and cheese and eggs are great additions to the diet, that provide some nutrition and flavor, while still being easy to eat. You can now begin eating more substantial items. But you will even want to avoid overly crunchy foods. A great example would be tacos and nachos. The chips and shells can be too crunchy and injure the incision site. 

Day 6 and Beyond

Starting day six and beyond, you will still want to be careful about what you eat and drink. Avoid overly hot or cold items for at least the first week. You may notice that around day six that there is less sensitivity, less swelling, and it is much easier to chew. However, you should avoid anything overly chewy. After eating, it is important to keep the teeth and gums clean. Using a soft bristle tooth gently cleanse the area. Your dentist will likely instruct you to do a saltwater rinse beginning on day 2. It is important not to be overly aggressive with the rinse and simply swoosh around your mouth. 

Dr. Georges Raffoul was raised in Tampa, Florida, and attended the University of South Florida for his undergraduate degree. He attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he earned his doctor of dental medicine (D.M.D.) degree and graduated with honors in 2016. In addition to doing externships with the VA and in Thailand, Dr. Raffoul has given back to the community by volunteering in geriatric health clinics, providing health education programs in local schools, and giving a guest lecture to the Pre-Dental Society of the University of Tampa. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and dedicated to continuously advancing his knowledge and skills in advanced dentistry. Dr. Raffoul has been a featured guest twice on the Weekly Checkup (America’s Leading Healthcare Talk Radio Show) on Tampa 102.5 The Bone. He has published in a full mouth restoration case in the implant magazine Open Implant.

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