Wisdom tooth removal is among the most common dental surgeries. Although the service is standard, many patients ask, “When can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?” People need to eat, but it can be difficult after losing one to four teeth.
We provide wisdom teeth removal in Surrey at New England Oral & Cosmetic Facial Surgery. Consult our guide below to learn about eating during your recovery time after having your wisdom teeth removed.
Do You Have To Stop Eating After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
After removing your wisdom teeth, you’ll experience swelling and pain around your mouth and cheeks. The inflammation and discomfort will make eating difficult, but not impossible.
When asking, “When can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?” understand that your diet will change as your recovery progresses. You should be able to safely consume liquids and soft foods, such as pudding or broth, within 24 hours of your procedure.
For days two and three, you can incorporate more filling, easy-to-eat foods into your meals. Options include scrambled eggs, soft pasta, and mashed potatoes. From days four to seven, you can progress to other soft foods, such as shredded chicken and soft-cooked vegetables.
Failing to be mindful of your eating habits and oral hygiene practices can lead to dry socket at the extraction site. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms around the extraction site to protect it from bacteria falls off prematurely. An untreated dry socket can trigger an infection due to food debris and bacteria filling the tooth hole.
Acceptable Foods To Eat Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction
As you might expect, not all foods and beverages are acceptable to consume immediately after a tooth extraction. Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend a liquid-based or soft-food diet immediately following the procedure.
The idea is to consume items that are easy to swallow and require little to no chewing. Examples include:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
- Eggs
- Jelly
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft vegetables
As you progress with your recovery, you can start incorporating semi-soft foods like beef and pasta into your meal plan. However, if your mouth is still too tender for chewing food, you can stay on your soft-food diet a few days longer.
Which Foods and Drinks Can Impede Your Healing Process?
Some foods are more likely than others to cause dry socket, pain, and prolonged healing. For instance, crunchy, crumbly, or spicy foods can irritate the extraction wound or dislodge the blood clot too soon. The same rule applies to the following:
- Seeds
- Foods with grains
- Soft drinks
- Hot food
- Caffeinated drinks
Eating Habits To Avoid After Losing Your Wisdom Teeth
You know the answer to “When can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?” but knowing when to eat isn’t enough. If you want your extraction wounds to heal fully without complications, you should temporarily change these eating and drinking habits along with your diet:
- Alcohol consumption: It’s best to stop drinking alcohol while healing from the dental extraction, as the alcohol can irritate the soft tissues in your mouth and interfere with your medications.
- Eating spicy or acidic foods: Spices and acids can sting your already-sensitive mouth, which affects your pain management strategy.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes or using any tobacco product following a tooth removal can cause infections and slow your healing.
- Drinking with a straw: Using a straw can dislodge the blood clot at your dental wound, leaving the site vulnerable to infection.
Potential Warning Signs of Dental Extraction Complications
You should expect to feel some pain and discomfort immediately following wisdom tooth extraction. Most people can resume eating normally by the third or fourth week following the procedure. However, persistent pain can indicate another problem.
Other warning signs of trouble after a wisdom tooth removal include:
- Increasing pain: Prolonged pain could mean you’re healing slower than expected.
- Ongoing bleeding: If your mouth continues to bleed hours after surgery, the wound may not be clotting properly.
- Foul smell or taste: A lingering odor or taste may indicate a dry socket or infection.
Need Wisdom Tooth Extraction? We Can Help
Whether you have an impacted or infected wisdom tooth, a dentist may need to remove it. If that happens, your answer to “When can I eat after wisdom tooth extraction?” is a few hours after surgery. Your diet will consist of liquids and soft foods at first and shift to more solid foods after five days.
Do you need wisdom tooth extraction in Surrey? Our professionals at New England Oral & Cosmetic Facial Surgery can handle the procedure and guide you through every phase, including recovery. To schedule a consultation, call (604) 507-0514.
