Wisdom tooth extractions can reduce the risk of future dental health problems; they are often an essential procedure! Their biggest downside is that recovering from them can take up to a couple of weeks. As you are healing, you will need to adhere to a modified diet in order to minimize discomfort and lower your risk of post-treatment complications. What foods should you eat — and avoid — after your appointment? This blog post provides some practical guidance.
Foods to Avoid
As you are healing from wisdom tooth extractions, you should not consume:
- Hard and crunchy foods. These could cause discomfort and interfere with the blood clots at your extraction sites.
- Hot and spicy foods. These may irritate your soft oral tissues.
- Alcohol. Alcohol may disrupt the blood clots at your extraction sites and slow down your body’s healing process. It might also lead to dangerous interactions with any pain medications that you may be taking.
- Chewy foods. Your mouth is likely to be sore, so you should not eat anything that requires a lot of effort to chew.
- Seeds and nuts. Foods with small parts might get stuck in the wounds left by your extractions.
- Coffee. Caffeinated beverages, including coffee, some types of tea, and energy drinks, might lead to increased bleeding.
Safe Foods after Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Your post-treatment diet should consist of soft foods that are very easy to consume. Here are some examples of safe choices:
- Blended soups (make sure they are not too hot)
- Yogurt
- Meal replacement shakes
- Ice cream (without hard add-ins)
- Mashed potatoes
- Mashed bananas
- Applesauce
- Scrambled eggs
- Avocados
- Hummus
- Well-cooked pasta
- Smoothies (without seeds)
When Can You Go Back to a Normal Diet?
People heal at different rates, though most individuals are fairly well recovered after 2 weeks or so. Listen to your body, and if you try any food that causes significant discomfort, it may be best to avoid it for at least a few more days. If you run into any questions or concerns during your recovery, you should feel free to reach out to your dentist’s office. Hopefully, you will be back to enjoying all your favorite dishes before you know it!
Meet the Practice
The talented, experienced team at Santavicca Dental Professionals is proud to perform safe and comfortable wisdom tooth extractions for members of our community. If you believe you need this procedure or have questions about what to expect from it, we would be happy to speak with you. Contact our Lebanon, NH, office at 603-215-7108.