Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure to remove wisdom teeth that are impacted or causing problems. After having your wisdom teeth removed, you may be wondering when you can eat cereal again. The recovery process after wisdom tooth removal is important, and introducing cereal and other foods too soon can disrupt healing.
How long after wisdom tooth extraction can I eat cereal?
Most dentists recommend waiting 24-48 hours before eating any solid foods after wisdom tooth extraction. This includes cereal. Introducing soft foods too soon can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a painful dry socket. Here are some general guidelines for when you can add cereal back into your diet after wisdom tooth removal:
- First 24 hours: Liquids only like water, juice, soup broth
- 24-48 hours: Soft foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, oatmeal
- After 48 hours: You can begin eating soft cereals soaked in milk
- 5-7 days: Transition to regular cereal and other soft solid foods
Everyone heals differently, so it’s important to listen to your body and only progress your diet when you feel ready. Don’t force yourself to eat cereal or other hard foods too soon, as it may disrupt healing.
Tips for eating cereal after wisdom teeth removal
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you start eating cereal after your wisdom tooth extraction:
- Stick to soft, easy to chew cereals at first. Avoid cereals with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or other hard pieces.
- Soak the cereal in milk to soften it before eating.
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly on the side of your mouth opposite the extraction sites.
- If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop eating and switch to a softer food.
- Avoid very hot or very cold cereals, as temperature extremes can cause discomfort.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, juice, or other fluids.
- Don’t use a straw for the first few days, as the suction can dislodge the clot.
Best cereals to eat after wisdom tooth removal
Here are some of the best cereal options as you recover from wisdom tooth extraction:
Hot cereals
- Oatmeal – Best soaked in milk overnight. The milk helps soften the oats.
- Cream of Wheat – Naturally soft and smooth.
- Malt-o-Meal – The original Malt-o-Meal hot cereal is very smooth.
Cold cereals
- Corn flakes – If soaked in milk, corn flakes get soft quickly.
- Rice Krispies – These turn soft after soaking up milk.
- Cheerios – Plain Cheerios are low in sugar and easy to chew.
- Special K – The smaller cereal pieces are less likely to get stuck.
Avoid nuts, dried fruit, and whole grain cereals at first as they can be uncomfortable on the extraction sites. Also skip very sugary kids cereals.
Foods to avoid after wisdom teeth removal
While cereal can usually be reintroduced to your diet within a few days of having your wisdom teeth out, there are some foods that should be avoided for longer:
- Hard, crunchy, chewy foods: Chips, nuts, seeds, granola, toast, pizza crust, raw vegetables. These foods could get stuck in the extraction sites.
- Spicy foods: Spicy seasonings and sauces can irritate healing gum tissue.
- Acidic foods: Citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes. Acidity can delay healing.
- Hot liquids: Very hot soups or drinks could damage tissue.
- Dairy: Limit dairy like milk, cheese, ice cream for 24 hours as lactose can be difficult to digest.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol for at least 24-48 hours, as it can interact with pain medications.
Follow your dentist’s recommendations on when to reintroduce these foods. Generally, you’ll want to stick to soft, mild foods for 4-5 days after having your wisdom teeth extracted.
How to eat cereal comfortably after wisdom tooth removal
Here are some tips for eating cereal comfortably as your mouth heals after wisdom tooth extraction:
- Sit upright while eating to minimize risk of food particles getting stuck in the extraction sites.
- Tilt your head slightly forward when chewing and swallowing to avoid food debris in the back of your mouth.
- Take small bites of cereal and chew thoroughly on the side opposite the extracted teeth.
- Swish lightly with an antiseptic mouthwash after eating to keep sites clean.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help flush out particles.
- If you have stitches, be very gentle chewing and avoid pulling on them.
- Stop eating if you feel any intense pain or pressure.
Be patient with your healing and don’t rush back to eating normally. Sticking to soft, gentle foods will help avoid complications.
How long does wisdom tooth extraction recovery take?
The overall wisdom tooth extraction recovery timeline is:
- First 3 days: Swelling, pain, and discomfort peaks.
- 3-7 days: Transition from liquids to soft foods.
- First week: Rest and take it easy, don’t resume normal activity.
- 2 weeks: Less pain and swelling. Healing is underway.
- 6 weeks: Healing should be complete.
However, this can vary based on:
- If your wisdom teeth were impacted.
- How difficult the extractions were.
- If you have stitches.
- If you develop complications like dry socket.
- How well you follow post-op care instructions.
Talk to your dentist about what to expect for your specific case. With proper care, you should be back to your normal diet by 14 days at the latest.
Signs of wisdom tooth extraction healing problems
Call your dentist if you experience any of the following signs of potential healing problems:
- Intense, throbbing pain that medication doesn’t relieve
- Fever over 101 F
- Bad breath or foul taste in your mouth
- Grey, foul-smelling discharge from the extraction site
- Swelling that gets worse after 3-4 days
- Numbness or tingling in your lips, chin, or tongue
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Food debris collecting in the extraction site
These could be signs of dry socket or infection, which need dental attention. Don’t ignore any unusual symptoms in your wisdom tooth extraction recovery.
How to prevent wisdom tooth extraction complications
You can reduce your risk of complications like dry socket and infection by:
- Following all post-operative care instructions from your dentist.
- Keeping extraction sites clean by rinsing gently after meals.
- Avoiding smoking, drinking through straws, swishing vigorously, or other actions that can dislodge the blood clot.
- Eating only soft, mild foods for the first few days.
- Avoiding hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic foods that could irritate sites.
- Taking prescribed antibiotics and using antiseptic mouthwash as directed.
Let pain and discomfort guide you – don’t rush back to eating normally. A slightly longer soft diet can prevent healing setbacks.
Should I see an oral surgeon or dentist for wisdom teeth removal?
Here are some factors to consider when deciding between an oral surgeon vs general dentist for wisdom tooth extraction:
| Oral Surgeon | General Dentist |
|---|---|
| Specialized training in extractions | Less extraction experience |
| Equipped for complex impactions | May refer out difficult impactions |
| Can perform surgery under sedation | Usually only local anesthetic |
| Higher cost, often not covered by dental insurance | Lower cost, often fully covered |
For simple or mildly impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist may be able to perform the extraction. For severe impactions, an oral surgeon is recommended.
Does getting wisdom teeth out hurt?
Having your wisdom teeth removed does involve some degree of pain and discomfort. The level of pain depends on:
- Number of teeth extracted: Removing all 4 wisdom teeth at once will be more uncomfortable than a single tooth.
- Level of impaction: Bony impacted teeth can require more surgical manipulation.
- Anesthesia used: Local anesthesia is less powerful than IV sedation.
- Your pain tolerance: Some people naturally tolerate pain better.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers help manage pain.
During the procedure you will be numbed with an anesthetic, so you should only feel pressure, not pain. In the days after surgery, following your dentist’s post-op instructions and taking any prescribed medications can effectively manage pain.
Do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth that are impacted or coming in improperly often need to be extracted to prevent future problems. However, not everyone needs their wisdom teeth out. Talk to your dentist to decide if removing them is right for you based on:
- How impacted the wisdom teeth are.
- Positioning of the wisdom teeth and space in your mouth.
- Presence of symptoms like pain, swelling, or infection.
- Risk of complications like biting interference, gum disease, cavities, or resorption of the second molars.
- Ability to properly clean the wisdom teeth to prevent decay.
Wisdom teeth that are fully erupted and functioning normally may not necessarily need extraction. But teeth that are partially impacted or don’t have enough room often should be removed.
Alternatives to wisdom tooth extraction
In some situations, the following alternatives to wisdom tooth extraction may be possible:
- Monitoring: If asymptomatic, wisdom teeth may just need regular x-rays to monitor for changes.
- Uprighting: Orthodontics may upright a tilted wisdom tooth.
- Tooth removal: Extracting an adjacent molar can create room for the wisdom tooth.
- Crown reduction: Reducing or reshaping adjacent crowns to prevent bite interference.
However, monitoring impacted or problematic wisdom teeth carries risks. Extraction is often still the best option to prevent future complications.
Conclusion
After wisdom tooth extraction, stick to a soft diet for the first few days. You’ll want to wait at least 24-48 hours before trying cereals, and soak them thoroughly in milk. Hot cereals or plain cold cereals are good options as you transition back to solid foods. Avoid hard, crunchy foods as well as spicy, acidic, or hot foods which could irritate healing sites. With proper post-op care, your mouth should heal within 2 weeks and you can gradually resume your normal diet.
