Eat This and Not That After Wisdom Teeth Removal
One of the most common concerns from patients undergoing wisdom teeth removal surgery is what they will eat and drink during the recovery process. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all ice cream and soup, and for good reason. Find out why with our basic rules list and read on to find some suggestions for what you can eat and drink comfortably during recovery.
The Basic Rules
There are a few basic rules to follow in order to make sure your mouth heals as quickly as possible without complication. These rules also help protect your comfort levels when you eat.
| • | No straws. The sucking motion required to drink from a straw can cause the blood clots at the extraction sites to come loose, which can result in a painful condition called dry socket. |
| • | Avoid temperature extremes. Instead of hot or cold, try to eat and drink things at room temperature. |
| • | Stick to liquids and extremely soft food for the first 24 hours. Then you can gradually add soft foods to your diet over the next few days. |
| • | Rinse your mouth with a saltwater mixture after meals to help keep the surgery sites clean and free of food debris. |
Ideas for Snacks and Meals
Anything soft and lukewarm should be a good option, but here are a few ideas:
| • | Applesauce |
| • | Mashed potatoes |
| • | Yogurt |
| • | Jell-O or pudding |
| • | Smoothies and milkshakes (without a straw) |
| • | Soup (after it has cooled) |
| • | Scrambled eggs |
| • | Very ripe bananas and avocados |
| • | Cheesecake |
| • | Oatmeal |
| • | Soft cooked pasta and rice |
Tips for Eating Comfortably
You may find that eating five to six small meals every few hours is actually easier than trying to eat three large meals a day.
Try chewing anything somewhat solid in the front of your mouth away from the extraction sites to avoid pain or discomfort.
As stated above, stick to room-temperature or lukewarm foods and drinks to avoid temperature sensitivities.
For more information about wisdom teeth surgery recovery or for any questions you may have, call us today at Pinnacle Oral Surgery Specialists at (469)264-8921.
Meta-description: One of the biggest challenges after having wisdom teeth removed is figuring out what and how to eat in order to stay comfortable and free of pain during the healing process. There are a few basic rules to follow that can help keep patients on the road to recovery and still feel full and satisfied at mealtime.
Keywords: wisdom teeth, wisdom teeth removal, wisdom tooth removal, wisdom tooth surgery
