When can i resume normal diet after wisdom teeth removal

Table of Contents

1. Eating After Wisdom Teeth Removal
2. Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery
3. Foods Allowed After Wisdom Teeth Removal
4. Getting Back to Normal
5. References

You can eat a couple hours after wisdom teeth removal, but the food you consume should be in liquid form, like smoothies. You are safe to eat soft foods about 24 to 48 hours after wisdom teeth removal.

Wisdom tooth removal is a common surgery, but it is considered invasive, so healing afterward takes as long as two weeks. In the first 24 to 48 hours, only consume smooth soup and juice. Then, you can begin to add textured soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and avocados.

After the first week, you may be able to eat most foods you love. It might take another week before you can eat some crunchy or spicy food.

Eating After Wisdom Teeth Removal

As anesthesia wears off after your wisdom tooth removal surgery, you may begin to feel hungry. While you can eat some foods right after your wisdom teeth are removed, these must be very soft, so they do not require any chewing.

Hours after your wisdom teeth are removed, you should stick to broth and juice. The next day, you may add yogurt, smooth soups, pudding, refried beans, mashed potatoes, and other foods that do not require much chewing. After three days, you can eat soft food that might involve some chewing, like scrambled eggs and macaroni and cheese.

Avoid tough or crunchy foods, including popcorn, hamburgers, chips, chicken breast, salads, and similar foods. You should also avoid acidic, spicy, or sugary foods. Do not drink alcohol or smoke during this time.

After about a week, your gums should be healed enough to eat most of your favorite foods, although your gums may still be sensitive enough that you should avoid crunchy and spicy food.

What Is It Like to Recover From Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Many adults in the United States have their wisdom teeth removed, typically around the time they start to come in. Although some dentists are trying to let their patients’ wisdom teeth come in naturally rather than preemptively removing them, wisdom teeth can often crowd the other teeth, cause too much pressure, and lead to gum disease.

Fortunately, wisdom teeth removal is a standard, common operation that dentists are well trained in.

Recovery from wisdom tooth removal takes about two weeks, on average. For the first week or so after the extraction, you can expect side effects like these:

• Swollen mouth and cheeks, which might make it difficult to eat
• Some visible bruising on the cheeks'
• A stiff, sore jaw that should wear off in about 7 to 10 days
• Pain, which over-the-counter pain medications should take care of
• An unpleasant taste in your mouth
• Bad breath, which should go away in a few days
• Bleeding that should stop after one to two days

In the first 24 hours after your wisdom teeth are removed, you should replace the gauze in your mouth as directed. Avoid spitting, sipping through straws, rinsing your mouth out, smoking, and drinking alcohol. You may only be able to drink broth and juice.

After the first 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth as directed by your dentist, and stick with the recommended foods. Avoid strenuous exercise for a few days, and prop your head up with an extra pillow at night to reduce swelling. You should be able to return to work after about a week, although your gums will not be completely healed, and you may still experience some discomfort.

Following the early stages of wisdom teeth removal, your mouth is at risk of bacteria. During this time, developing a cavity can undoubtedly occur, which is why taking care of your oral hygiene is so important.

What Foods Can I Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal & When?

In the first 48 hours after your wisdom teeth are removed, stick to soft foods like:

• Jell-O
• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Soup
• Juice
• Smoothies
• Apple sauce
• Cottage cheese

After the first two days, you can add other foods with more nutrition like these:

• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Milkshakes
• Scrambled eggs
• Soft meat or fish
• Avocadoes
• Oatmeal
• Soft bananas
• Pureed or mashed vegetables like carrots or parsnips
• Pureed seedless fruit

You may want to avoid anything that requires much chewing for the first week. Add foods after 7 to 10 days based on what your dentist says about your gums’ healing process.

Getting Back to Normal After Surgery

After about a week, you can add many foods back into your diet. If the clots in the sockets are healed enough according to your dentist, you can use straws to sip smoothies or other drinks. You may wish to avoid tough foods like pretzels, chips, or tough meats; spicy foods; or sugary or processed foods.

Your gums may need another week to fully heal. However, many people recover well from this procedure and will be enjoying nachos, fresh carrots and celery, and popcorn again before they know it.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.