The removal of wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure that can only be performed by a dentist, but concerns will arise after the anesthesia wears off and your mouth start feeling normal again… When can I eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal? After wisdom teeth removal, some people will have to undergo a liquid diet for the first 36 hours while others are free to consume soft foods.
How Long After Surgery Can I Eat Solid Food?
You may be able to eat soft foods the day of your surgery. After that, you’ll need to follow a liquid diet for a few days. You can start eating solid foods again when your doctor says it’s okay — usually between one and three weeks after your procedure.
If you have four wisdom teeth removed, you may need to stay on a liquid diet longer than if you have just two or three teeth removed. This is because your mouth will be more swollen and sorer after having four teeth removed at once.
- What should I eat while my jaw is healing?
When your doctor tells you it’s okay to move from a liquid diet to solid food, start with simple foods like yogurt and mashed potatoes. These are easy for the body to digest because they’re soft, yet dense enough to feel satisfying when you bite into them. As time goes on, try adding more solid foods like eggs and chicken until you’re back to eating normally again.
When Can I Eat Solid Food After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It can take a few days for your mouth to heal after wisdom teeth removal. The healing process will depend on the type of anesthesia you had and whether your dentist removed the roots or not.
Here’s what you should know about when you can eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal:
- General guidelines for eating solid foods
You can eat solid foods right away, but it’s best to wait a few hours after surgery. You should be able to drink water, broth and popsicles immediately after your wisdom teeth are removed. You can also eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, yogurt and mashed potatoes within 24 hours of surgery. If you have a partial denture or removable appliance in place, you may need to avoid chewing on that side until it’s adjusted or replaced by your dentist.
- How long should I wait before eating hard foods?
You may be able to eat raw vegetables, such as carrots and celery, once your mouth has healed enough for them to pass through easily without discomfort or pain. Cooked vegetables and cooked meat are easier on your mouth than raw ones because they are softer and more moist than raw food items like apples and carrots that tend to be tough on sensitive gums following dental procedure.
Safest Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
The first thing to know is that it’s normal to feel a little out of sorts for a few days after having your wisdom teeth removed. It takes time for the local anesthetic to wear off and for your mouth to heal.
You’ll probably be able to eat solid foods on the day of your surgery, but it may not be until later in the day that you feel up to eating anything substantial. Your doctor will let you know what’s safe for you to eat — and what isn’t. The following guidelines can help:
Safer options
It’s best not to eat anything cold or hot for several hours after surgery because it could irritate raw tissue or cause swelling in your mouth. You might find that certain foods — those with soft textures, small pieces and mild flavors — are more comfortable than others while your mouth heals. These include:
- Soft toast (without butter or cheese)
- Mashed potatoes
- Cream soups
- Pudding made with milk instead of water
Foods to Avoid After Oral Surgery
After oral surgery, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions on what you can eat. Some foods are not safe after wisdom teeth removal due to the risk of infection or other complications.
Foods that should be avoided include:
- Raw meat or fish
- Soft cheese and dairy products, such as yogurt or cottage cheese
- Liquids that may drip into the surgical site, such as water and juices without pulp (fruit juices)
- Hard crunchy foods such as popcorn, nuts and chips
What Are The 4 Steps of Recovery?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. They usually come through during the teenage years, although some people are not born with any wisdom teeth at all.
Wisdom teeth that do not erupt properly can cause pain and infection. Removing them is often necessary to prevent further complications. But when can you eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal? Here are four steps of recovery:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.
- Take prescribed medications as directed by your dentist or doctor. (If you don’t have any pain, skip this step.)
- Eat soft foods as tolerated after 24 hours (usually mashed potatoes, yogurt and soft fruits). You may have trouble chewing or swallowing for a few days after surgery, but it will get better in time!
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth removal surgery can take a while to get over, so it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to speed up your recovery. Whether you choose a diet loaded with iron or carbohydrates depends on what was removed and when you can eat solid food again.
