Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure that most people undergo in their late teens or early 20s. While the surgery is relatively quick, recovery typically takes around 1-2 weeks. During this time, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions, including any dietary restrictions.
One of the most common questions people have is when they can eat pancakes again after wisdom teeth removal. Pancakes are soft, but still require substantial chewing. So how long should you wait before indulging in your favorite breakfast food?
How long to wait before eating pancakes after wisdom teeth removal
Most oral surgeons recommend waiting at least 72 hours (3 days) before attempting to eat pancakes after wisdom teeth removal. Some key reasons for waiting include:
- Allows time for incisions to begin healing
- Reduces chances of potential infection
- Prevents food particles from getting lodged in extraction sites
- Lessens risk of dry socket, a painful complication
During the first 72 hours, it’s best to stick with a liquid diet to allow proper healing. Things like smoothies, milkshakes, broths, and jello are good options. Slowly progressing to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes after 3 days.
5-7 days after surgery
By days 5-7, you should be able to tolerate soft, moist foods that don’t require extensive chewing, like pancakes. Start with small bites and take your time when eating. It’s also a good idea to cut pancakes into smaller pieces to minimize chewing. Avoid anything crunchy or sharp that could irritate the surgical sites.
Some tips when eating pancakes after wisdom teeth removal:
- Choose buttermilk or milk pancakes instead of whole grain
- Look for pancakes made with very soft whole wheat flour
- Cut pancakes into quarters or smaller
- Take small bites and chew slowly on the side of your mouth farthest from extraction sites
- Use syrup as a lubricant to soften pancakes while chewing
It’s normal to experience some mild discomfort when eating pancakes around days 5-7. Pain typically continues to get better each day. But if you have sharp, throbbing pain, stop eating pancakes and stick with softer foods until your mouth fully heals.
10-14 days after surgery
By 10-14 days after wisdom teeth removal, most people are healing well and feeling much better. At this point, the extraction sites have closed up and your stitches have likely dissolved. You should be able to eat pancakes normally without much pain or difficulty.
Some tips for this recovery stage:
- You can try larger pieces of pancake
- Take bites from all areas of your mouth, not just one side
- Add crunchy toppings like nuts or bacon if desired
- Introduce other foods like eggs, toast, waffles back into your diet
Just keep in mind it can take a full 6 weeks for your gums and bone to completely heal after surgery. So you may still have some residual tenderness when chewing harder foods.
Signs you may not be ready for pancakes
It’s important to listen to your body during recovery. Even if it’s been 5-7 days, there are some signs that indicate you may want to hold off on pancakes a bit longer:
- Ongoing bleeding from extraction sites
- Severe throbbing pain that gets worse when eating
- Fever or chills, which could signal infection
- Visible holes still present where teeth were extracted
- Feeling like food is getting trapped in extraction sites
If you experience any of these, stick with a soft diet for a few more days. Call your oral surgeon if symptoms persist or get worse. They may want to check for complications like dry socket.
Foods to eat before pancakes
As you count down the days until you can enjoy pancakes again, focus on nourishing foods that won’t irritate surgical sites. Here are some of the best options:
Beverages
- Water – Stay hydrated
- Ice chips – Soothe irritation
- Tea – Skip any acidic juices
- Broths – Good source of electrolytes
- Protein shakes – Use a straw for thicker shakes
- Smoothies – Blenderizecompletely smooth
Dairy
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Milkshakes – No straw needed
- Ice cream – Stick to soft serve
- Cottage cheese
Fruits and vegetables
- Applesauce
- Mashed bananas
- Cooked carrots
- Mashed potatoes
- Canned peaches
Proteins
- Eggs – Scrambled or hard boiled
- Tuna – Make sure there are no crunchy bits
- Cottage cheese
- Refried beans
- Tofu – Blend into smoothies
As you heal, you can gradually reintroduce soft, moist foods like pancakes back into your diet. Just be sure to take it slow and listen to your body during recovery.
Tips for eating pancakes after wisdom teeth removal
Once the 3-5 day mark hits, here are some tips to keep in mind when you eat pancakes for the first time after surgery:
- Take small bites – Don’t overload your mouth with too much food initially.
- Chew slowly – Give your incisions plenty of time to adjust.
- Use your cheek muscles – Avoid opening your mouth too wide.
- Cut food into small pieces – Makes chewing easier.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to help soften food.
Be sure to stop eating if you feel any intense pain or discomfort. This likely means you jumped back into solids too quickly. Stick with a soft diet for a couple more days before trying again.
Choose soft, moist pancake options
All pancakes are not made equal after wisdom teeth removal. Here are some of your best bets:
- Buttermilk pancakes – Buttermilk gives them a moist, tender texture.
- Blueberry pancakes – The berries help add moisture.
- Chocolate chip pancakes – Mini chocolate chips won’t irritate wounds.
- Protein pancakes – Often made with bananas or Greek yogurt for moisture.
- Silver dollar pancakes – Their small size makes them easier to chew.
Steer clear of pancakes that contain nuts, dried fruit, or whole grains in those first days after surgery. Focus on soft, gentle options until you’re further along in healing.
Have syrup handy
While maple syrup may not offer any nutritional benefits after wisdom teeth removal, it can help make eating pancakes easier. Drizzle syrup over each bite of pancake – the syrup will help break down the food and make it easier to chew and swallow.
You can also dip pancakes directly in syrup between bites. Just take care not to ingest too much sugar, which could potentially irritate healing wounds.
How to recover quickly after wisdom teeth removal
Following proper care instructions after your wisdom teeth are extracted is key for a smooth recovery. Here are some important tips:
- Take all prescribed medications – This helps manage pain and prevent infection.
- Apply ice packs – Use for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off to reduce swelling.
- Follow dietary guidelines – Stick to a soft food diet during the recovery timeline.
- Avoid certain foods – Steer clear of chips, nuts, seeds, and other hard foods.
- Practice good oral hygiene – Gently brush other teeth and avoid the surgical sites.
- Limit physical activity – Avoid strenuous exercise while you heal.
Most importantly, listen to your oral surgeon’s specific guidance for your situation. Follow up with any recommended check-ups so they can monitor your progress after wisdom teeth removal.
Let pain be your guide – if an activity like eating pancakes causes throbbing pain or discomfort, hold off and stick with softer foods for a few more days before trying again.
When to call your oral surgeon
Wisdom teeth removal has risks like dry socket or infection. Call your oral surgeon if you experience:
- Fever or chills
- Severe pain that medication does not help
- Excessive bleeding that won’t stop
- Bad taste or odor coming from the surgery site
- Visible bone fragments poking through gums
Rapid swelling or worsening symptoms after a few days could indicate complications. Your oral surgeon may want to examine the extraction site or call in antibiotics.
Conclusion
Recovering after wisdom teeth removal takes patience. While pancakes may be one of the first real foods you want to eat, it’s best to wait until around 5-7 days after surgery. This allows time for incisions to begin healing and helps prevent painful complications.
Focus on a liquid diet transitioning to soft foods for at least 72 hours. Then slowly introduce pancakes back into your diet starting on day 5, taking small bites and giving yourself plenty of time to chew. Wait to add any crunchy toppings until you’re fully recovered, around the 2 week mark.
Most importantly, listen to signals from your body during recovery. If trying to eat pancakes causes sharp pain, stop and stick to gentler foods until you’ve had more time to heal. With proper care and precaution, you’ll be able to enjoy fluffy, syrup-drizzled pancakes again before you know it!