What’s Safe to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Extractions?

Wisdom tooth extractions can end constant oral pain and prevent serious oral health issues like gum infections and dental crowding. However, you can expect your mouth to be tender for a few days after the procedure, so it’s important to know what’s safe to eat while your gums are healing. Here’s a brief guide to which foods are suitable to people who have recently had their wisdom teeth removed and which ones can cause discomfort or injury.

Immediately After Your Procedure

After you get home from your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office, it’s important to get plenty of rest so  you can avoid straining the healing surgical sites. At this time, it’s important not to eat while your mouth is still feeling the effects of the anesthetic treatment, as they can make it too easy to injure your tongue, lips, or cheeks.

It’s also important to avoid spitting or drinking through a straw, as the shifting pressures in the mouth can cause the clots forming over the empty sockets to dislodge, resulting in a severely painful condition called dry socket.

What Can I Eat After Having My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Once you’re ready to eat again, it’s best to stick to mild, soft foods that are easy to chew and lukewarm or cold. Dairy products are especially good since they are high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, all of which are nutrients important to your mouth’s healing process.  A few examples of good food for people who have recently had wisdom teeth removed include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Smoothies
• Ice cream
• Yogurt
• Soup
• Apple sauce
• Hummus
• Cottage Cheese

What Should I Avoid After Having My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Foods with lots of texture or flavor may hurt your surgical sites after having your wisdom teeth removed. A few items to avoid include:

• Spicy foods, as they contain acid that can irritate your healing tissues
• Crunchy foods including grains, seeds, and nuts, as these can injure the surgical area as they are chewed or become lodged in the surgical wounds
• Chewy foods, as they may increase your risk of biting your cheeks, lips, or tongue
• Alcohol, as it inhibits the healing process
• Hot foods, as they can stress the healing surgical sites

While recovering from wisdom teeth removal isn’t always a walk in the park, it can be a necessary step towards a healthier and more comfortable mouth. Following your dentist or oral surgeon’s postoperative instructions can set you up for a speedy healing process.

About the Author

Dr. Luciano Marini earned his dental degree at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and completed his residency at Waterbury Hospital Health Center. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Connecticut Dental Association, and the Waterbury Dental Society. His office in Waterbury provides general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as wisdom tooth extractions. To learn more about caring for your mouth after extraction, contact his office online or dial (203) 575-9097.