Are you scheduled for wisdom teeth extraction in our Pasadena office? If so, you’ve probably heard that after your oral surgery, you’ll need to follow a soft food diet as your mouth heals from the procedure. But, what can you eat? And how long do you have to be on a soft food diet. Check out these tips:
- After a wisdom teeth extraction, you should stay on a soft food diet for about a week.
- Ideal soft foods after a wisdom teeth extraction include smoothies, juices, scrambled eggs, soups and yogurt.
- Even though you may be consuming a lot of “liquefied” food, you definitely shouldn’t use a straw after wisdom teeth extraction. Using a straw or sucking can result in dislodging the blood clot that naturally forms over the wisdom teeth extraction sites, and can result in a painful complication called dry sockets, in which the jawbone tissue is exposed.
- To enjoy liquefied foods after your wisdom teeth extraction, you should gently spoon the food into your mouth, and avoid slurping, which can also cause dry sockets.
- Hard and crunchy foods should be avoided after wisdom teeth extraction, and you shouldn’t resume eating them until your Pasadena doctor at Lytle, Tate & Stamper advises you to do so.
Additional Wisdom Teeth Extraction Tips
In addition to eating a soft food diet after a wisdom teeth extraction in our Pasadena office, there are other tips you should follow to ensure you heal properly. These include:
- Resting the day of your oral surgery, so that you can recover from the procedure. It is recommended that you lie down with your head elevated with pillows to promote proper blood flow to your head.
- Icing your face on and off in 15-minute intervals, to reduce swelling and prevent post-operative pain.
- Refraining from rinsing your mouth out for the first 24 hours after your surgery. After that, gently rinse your mouth out with warm salt water about 4 times a day, at least once after every time you eat.
- Brushing away from the wisdom teeth extraction sites, so that you don’t accidentally dislodge the blood clot.
- Refraining from smoking, as doing so may not only dislodge the blood clot forming over the extraction sites, but also make your recovery longer and more difficult.
- Taking your pain medication exactly as prescribed, even if that means waking up in the middle of the night so that you don’t miss a dose.
Schedule Your Wisdom Teeth Extraction Appointment Today
If you’re in your teens or early twenties and feel pain in the back of your mouth, can feel your wisdom teeth erupting, or have bad breath that just won’t go away even immediately after you brush your teeth, these could be signs that your wisdom teeth are erupting or impacted, and need to be removed. In this case, visit the Pasadena office of Lytle, Tate & Stamper for a wisdom teeth extraction evaluation, which will include an oral examination and likely X-rays of your mouth to determine the exact location of your wisdom teeth.
To schedule an appointment at our Pasadena office today, call (818) 240-1805.
FAQs
When can I go back to my normal diet after wisdom teeth removal? ›
Most sockets take about 6 weeks to heal fully following dental surgery, and you should be back to mostly normal eating habits within 3-4 weeks post-procedure.
What can I start eating on day 3 after wisdom teeth removal? ›On day 3 after surgery, eat soft foods that do not require much chewing, such as macaroni and cheese, cooked noodles, soft-boiled /scrambled/ poached eggs and soft sandwiches. Avoid tough or crunchy foods, such as pizza, rice, popcorn, and hamburger. Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
What can I eat 7 days after wisdom tooth extraction? ›You should eat only soft foods for the first week: for example, soups, eggs, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf are fine. For 2 weeks (8 weeks if you had lower wisdom teeth extracted), do not eat hard, crunchy, or very chewy foods, such as European breads, pizza crust, steak or jerky, nuts, or popcorn.
When can I stop worrying about food getting stuck in wisdom teeth holes? ›It may take several weeks for the gum tissue to grow over the sockets. Food will probably get stuck in the sockets until they close over completely.
Can you have peanut butter after wisdom teeth? ›Peanut Butter: Eat it from the jar or add it to fruit or smoothies. Just remember to avoid the crunchy style.
What is the best food to eat after tooth extraction? ›For at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you should consume only soft foods and liquids. You can ease into a more normal diet when you feel comfortable doing so. Try to stick with easy-to-chew foods for a few days. Initially, choose cool foods like yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, and ice cream.
Can I have ramen after wisdom teeth removal? ›Although not quite pasta, foods like Ramen noodles are also acceptable when taken alongside a broth – do be mindful that anything too hot can also cause problems at any wisdom tooth extractions' site, so tepid is the way to go until your recovery is further advanced.
What solid foods should I start after wisdom teeth removal? ›- Applesauce or other pureed fruits (try baby food)
- Mashed soft fruit such as bananas or avocado.
- Steamed mashed carrot or cauliflower.
- Steamed mashed pear, peach, or apple.
- Warm (not hot) broth or cream soups.
- Oatmeal, congee, porridge, or cream of wheat.
- Scrambled eggs.
Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are an excellent food to eat after oral surgery. They have a high amount of quality protein that is rich in vitamins and minerals. While eggs cooked in numerous ways are generally soft, scrambled eggs are ideal because they are easier to chew and swallow.
Although each patient is different and our surgeon will give specific recommendations according to the particular case, as a general rule, we advise patients to wait at least seven days to incorporate solid foods into their diet.
How long do you need to eat soft food after wisdom teeth removal? ›
Generally, you'll want to stick to liquids and soft, mushy foods for 3 to 5 days, including: Blended soups (easy to eat, nutrient-rich and hydrating) Broths (full of essential vitamins and minerals to aid recovery)
Can I eat pancakes after tooth extraction? ›You can even eat pancakes! They're light, fluffy, and easy on your extraction sites (Tip: you can make breads even easier to chew by letting them sit in your mouth for a few seconds and softening them with your saliva). Pasta is totally doable if you prepare it right.
What to do if food gets stuck in extraction site? ›Saltwater rinse
Don't rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, if food lodges in a wisdom tooth hole, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water (saline) to help dislodge the food.
Typically you can stop worrying about the dry socket after 7-10 days because this is the amount of time that gums take to close. However, everyone heals at their own time, depending on age, oral health, hygiene, and other factors.
When are dry sockets no longer possible? ›This risk is present until you're fully healed, which may take 7 to 10 days in many cases. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that should have formed in the socket after your extraction is either accidentally removed or never formed in the first place. Dry socket is no longer a risk once the site is healed.
What happens on day 5 of wisdom teeth removal? ›Days 5-7: Most symptoms should subside except limited jaw opening and a minor, occasional ache. It may take 2-4 weeks to reach normal Jaw opening. If any stitches remain, you should return to your dentist to have them removed.
What can I eat on day 4 after wisdom teeth removal? ›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.
What is the white stuff when tooth extraction heals? ›If you recently had a tooth extracted, you may notice a white formation in your tooth socket. This white material is usually granulation tissue, a fragile tissue composed of blood vessels, collagen, and white blood cells. Granulation tissue is a normal part of your body's healing process and is not cause for concern.