Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure that many people undergo in their late teens or early 20s. After the surgery, following proper diet and nutrition guidelines is important to help support healing. One common question that arises is whether you can eat rice after getting your wisdom teeth taken out.
Can You Eat Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The answer is yes, you can eat rice after getting your wisdom teeth removed. Rice is considered a safe food to eat following wisdom tooth extraction. Here are some key points on eating rice after surgery:
- Rice is soft, smooth, and easy to chew, reducing strain on the surgical sites.
- The grains do not contain small seeds or hard pieces that could potentially get stuck in the extraction sockets.
- White rice has a low fiber content, making it less likely to irritate the wounds.
- Rice can help provide carbohydrates for energy and nutrients to promote healing.
- Rice pudding can provide added protein and nutrients from the milk and eggs.
So in general, plain rice and rice dishes are fine to incorporate into your post-op diet. Just focus on well-cooked white or brown rice without any harsh spices or other add-ins that could cause irritation or discomfort.
When Can You Eat Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
It’s recommended to stick with a soft, liquid diet for the first 24 hours after wisdom tooth extraction surgery. This gives time for the anesthesia to fully wear off and initial healing to begin. After the first day, you can start incorporating soft, smooth foods like rice into your meals.
Here is a general timeline for when you can add rice back into your diet after wisdom teeth removal:
- Day of surgery: Liquids only – water, smoothies, broths, juice.
- Day after surgery: Progress to pureed foods – applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt.
- 2-3 days after: Soft cooked rice or rice pudding can be eaten.
- 4-7 days after: Well-cooked white or brown rice is fine to eat.
Go slowly and focus on proper oral hygiene to support healing. Be sure to rinse your mouth gently after eating. If you experience increased pain or bleeding when eating rice, stop consuming it and stick with a liquid diet a bit longer before trying again.
What Type of Rice Should You Eat?
The best varieties of rice to eat after wisdom tooth removal include:
- White rice: White rice is soft and low in fiber. The refined grains are less likely to get stuck in sockets. Choose plain white rice without any seasonings or sauces.
- Brown rice: Brown rice retains more nutrients than white rice, but takes longer to cook to reach a soft texture. Ensure brown rice is thoroughly cooked.
- Rice cereal: Plain rice cereals made for babies, like rice baby cereal, are super smooth and easy to swallow.
- Rice pudding: The creamy texture of rice pudding makes it a filling option. Choose a variety without nuts or seeds.
Avoid rice dishes with sharp add-ins like raw onions or spices that could irritate wounds. Also skip sticky rice varieties like sushi rice which could get lodged in sockets.
Benefits of Eating Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Eating soft, bland foods like rice after oral surgery can offer a number of benefits:
- Provides nutrients for healing – Rice offers carbohydrates for energy, protein, and some vitamins and minerals to nourish the body.
- Satisfies hunger – The mild flavor and smooth texture of rice can help satisfaction hunger between liquid meal supplements.
- Easy to chew and swallow – Well-cooked rice is simple to eat without excessive chewing, reducing strain on swollen wounds.
- Low fiber content – Heavily refined white rice is low in fiber, which can irritate clots and delay healing.
- Gluten-free – Rice contains no gluten, making it a safe choice for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Following your dentist’s aftercare guidelines and focusing on proper oral hygiene is key. But eating smooth, mild rice can be part of getting the nutrition you need for recovery after wisdom teeth extraction.
Precautions with Eating Rice
While rice is generally recommended after oral surgery, there are some precautions to keep in mind:
- Make sure rice is cooked to a soft, smooth texture to reduce chances of seeds or grains getting stuck in wounds.
- Avoid adding spices, seasonings or other ingredients that may irritate sockets and stitches.
- Be careful with rice in public settings, where cross-contamination could risk infection.
- Stop eating rice if you experience increased pain, swelling or bleeding.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water after eating to keep rice from getting stuck.
- Watch for signs of dry socket, a painful complication marked by bad breath, throbbing pain, and foul taste.
Use good judgment when deciding whether rice seems tolerable for your condition. Don’t force yourself to eat it if the grains cause irritation. Pay attention to your body and how it responds.
Tips for Eating Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Here are some tips to keep in mind when adding rice to your post-wisdom teeth removal diet:
- Opt for well-cooked white or brown rice for the smoothest texture.
- Try rice pudding or rice cereal made with milk for added protein and nutrients.
- Add a bit of butter or gravy to rice for extra flavor and moisture.
- Start with just a few spoonfuls of rice and gradually increase portion sizes as tolerated.
- Mix a spoonful of rice into soups or broths if chewing grains is too difficult.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help swallow rice and prevent dehydration.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water after eating to remove any rice particles.
- Focus on proper oral hygiene to keep surgical sites clean.
Eating rice shouldn’t require much chewing. Go slowly and listen to your body. Stop eating it if rice seems to make swelling or pain worse.
Foods to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
While rice is generally safe, other foods are better to avoid after oral surgery. Stay away from:
- Hard, crunchy foods like chips, nuts, popcorn
- Chewy, sticky foods like gum, caramel, bread
- Spicy, heavily seasoned items that may irritate wounds
- Small seeds or grains that could get stuck in sockets
- Raw fruits and vegetables with fiber that could disturb clots
- Very hot foods and drinks that might burn swollen tissue
- Alcohol and caffeine, which can delay healing
- Dairy products if taking antibiotics, which can interact
- Carbonated drinks like soda that produce bubbles and pressure
Read all food labels and watch out for hidden ingredients that may be problematic. The first days after surgery require a liquid diet progressing to soft, smooth foods like rice before resuming a normal diet.
Sample Post-Surgery Menu with Rice
Here is a sample menu for the first few days after wisdom teeth removal surgery that includes rice:
Day of Surgery
- Breakfast: Apple juice, vanilla protein shake
- Lunch: Chicken broth, vanilla pudding
- Dinner: Pear nectar, mashed potato soup
Day After Surgery
- Breakfast: Oatmeal made with milk, peach applesauce
- Lunch: Mashed sweet potatoes, vanilla yogurt
- Dinner: Cream of tomato soup, mashed avocado
2 Days After
- Breakfast: Rice pudding made with milk, banana
- Lunch: White rice with gravy, macaroni and cheese
- Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, cooked carrots
3 Days After
- Breakfast: Rice cereal with milk, diced peaches
- Lunch: Minestrone soup with rice, Jell-O
- Dinner: Brown rice, applesauce, green tea
This sample menu provides soft, mild foods that are easy to swallow as you recover. Rice dishes are incorporated starting 2 days after surgery. Always follow your specific dentist’s instructions.
Conclusion
In general, rice is considered a safe food to eat after wisdom teeth removal. Plain white or brown rice is low in fiber, easy to chew and swallow, and provides carbohydrates and nutrients for the healing process after oral surgery.
It’s best to stick with liquids only on the day of surgery, progressing to smooth purees and finally soft rice in the following days. Avoid spicy or sticky rice varieties. Rinse your mouth after eating rice to remove any lingering grains. Stop consuming rice if it seems to increase pain or irritation.
Eating soft rice as part of a balanced diet can help provide energy for the body and support recovery without putting strain on the extraction sites. Follow dental aftercare instructions and call your dentist with any concerns.
