Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure, but recovering from the surgery can take some time. One of the biggest questions people have after wisdom tooth extraction is when they’ll be able to eat normally again. Here’s a look at what to expect and how long it usually takes to get back to your regular diet after wisdom teeth removal.
When can I eat solid foods again after wisdom teeth removal?
After wisdom tooth surgery, you’ll need to follow a soft food diet for the first few days. This typically includes things like:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Jello
- Pudding
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
- Broth or soup
- Oatmeal
- Cottage cheese
- Ice cream
Your dentist will let you know when it’s ok to start eating solid foods again. Often, you can gradually add in softer solid foods around 3-5 days after surgery. Things like eggs, pasta, fish, chicken, steamed vegetables, and soft breads are good options.
By days 7-10, you should be able to tolerate most solid foods again. Just be sure to cut food into smaller pieces and chew on the side of your mouth opposite the extraction sites.
Why can’t I eat solid foods right away after wisdom tooth removal?
There are a few reasons your dentist will recommend sticking to a soft food diet initially:
- Chewing solid foods requires more jaw movement, which can disrupt healing.
- Hard or crunchy foods could get stuck in the surgery sites.
- Sharp food particles may irritate the surgical sites and stitching.
Eating softer foods limits movement and irritation to allow proper healing and reduce your risk of developing dry socket complications.
Does the type of impaction affect how soon I can eat normally?
Yes, the type of impaction can impact healing time. There are four types of impactions:
- Soft tissue impactions: Tooth is angled and only partially covered by gum tissue. This is the easiest type to remove.
- Partial bony impactions: Tooth is partially embedded in the jawbone. Requires surgically exposing the tooth.
- Full bony impactions: Tooth is completely encased in bone. Most difficult impaction to remove.
- Horizontal impactions: Tooth grows horizontally under other teeth. Requires delicate extraction techniques.
Full bony and horizontal impactions often require more intricate surgical procedures. This can prolong healing time and mean it takes longer before you can resume a normal diet. Simple soft tissue extractions involve less trauma, so recovery is quicker.
When can I stop taking soft foods after wisdom teeth removal?
Your dentist will advise you when to stop restricting your diet with soft foods. Typically, soft foods are only required for the first 3-7 days while the extraction sites begin healing. As long as you are careful chewing on the opposite side and gradually introduce more solid foods, you may be able to stop sticking to only soft foods 7-14 days after surgery.
However, everyone heals differently. It may take longer if you had:
- Extensive impactions removed
- Multiple teeth extracted
- Difficulty controlling bleeding
- Prolonged pain or swelling
- Dry socket complications
Have patience and closely follow your dentist’s recovery instructions to avoid impeding the healing process. Prematurely trying to eat hard, crunchy, or sharp foods too soon could damage the surgical sites.
What foods should I avoid after wisdom tooth removal?
Once you start eating solid foods again, you’ll still want to avoid certain foods that could irritate the extraction sites and stitches. Foods to avoid include:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Seeds
- Potato chips
- Anything crunchy or crispy
- Whole fruits and vegetables – stick to soft cooked vegetables
- Hard breads like bagels – opt for soft breads
- Pizza – the crust could be irritating
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Carbonated beverages
Try to stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow for at least the first week. After that, slowly introduce solid foods again but be cautious with foods that have sharp or hard pieces.
How long does it take the extraction sites to heal?
The holes left behind after wisdom tooth extraction will gradually heal over the next month. Here is the general timeline:
- Days 1-3: Blood clot forms over socket.
- Days 4-7: Soft tissue begins to cover socket.
- Week 2: New pink tissue grows to protect nerve endings.
- Weeks 3-4: Initial healing complete, OK to resume normal brushing.
- Months 1-2: Bone reforms and fills socket.
- Months 3-6: Healing and remodeling finishes.
With proper oral care and eating soft foods initially, you can support this healing process. But it takes months for the socket to fully fill in with bone again.
Tips for getting back to normal eating after wisdom teeth removal
To transition back to your regular diet after wisdom tooth extraction, keep these tips in mind:
- Rinse mouth gently after eating for the first week.
- Chew slowly and use teeth far from extraction sites.
- Cut food into smaller pieces to reduce chewing.
- Avoid extremely hot or cold foods that could irritate sites.
- Don’t drink through a straw, create suction pressure.
- Introduce new foods gradually over 7-14 days.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, sharp foods for at least one month.
Be patient with your recovery and don’t try to rush back to eating normally. Let pain and swelling guide you – if it hurts, stick to softer foods for a bit longer. Call your dentist if you have concerns.
When to call your dentist after wisdom teeth removal
Call your dentist if you experience any of the following:
- Bleeding you can’t control
- Increasing pain or swelling
- Bad taste or odor coming from extraction sites
- Visible bone fragments in extraction sites
- Fever over 101 F
- Numbness or tingling that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Food getting stuck in extraction sites
These could indicate complications like dry socket or infection. Your dentist can provide treatment to help the healing process.
What if I can’t eat enough on a soft food diet after wisdom teeth removal?
The first few days after surgery, you may not feel like eating much. But as your appetite returns, sticking to soft foods alone can leave you feeling hungry.
If you find it difficult getting enough calories and nutrition on a soft diet, try these high protein and nutrient-rich foods:
- Protein shakes or smoothies with milk and yogurt
- Milkshakes
- Nut butters thinned with milk or yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs
- Well-cooked pasta with cheese sauce
- Oatmeal with milk, yogurt, and ground flax seed
- Mashed avocado
- Well-cooked fish like salmon
Drink plenty of water, milk, and juices to stay hydrated. Let your dentist know if you are having difficulty maintaining nutrition on the soft diet.
Conclusion
Recovering from wisdom teeth removal takes patience. After surgery, plan to stick to soft foods only for at least the first 3-5 days. By days 7-14, you can likely tolerate most solid foods again if you chew carefully on the opposite side. But continue avoiding hard, crunchy foods for a month. Call your dentist if you have bleeding, increasing pain, or other issues. With time and care, your extraction sites will gradually heal and you’ll get back to eating normally.
