Wisdom teeth are always an unwanted hassle, so the day after you’ve got them out, you might want to celebrate. However, if you’re planning on having a feast, you’ll have to think a little bit about what you’ll be able to eat.
You’ll be restricted as to what you can eat for a few days after your wisdom teeth removal. Here are some foods you ought to avoid, and what you can eat instead.
When Can I Eat?
You may not have been aware for most of it, but after a wisdom tooth removal, you’ve been through a lot. At that point, it’s perfectly understandable to be hungry. That said, you’ll have to use a little caution directly after your procedure.
You’ll probably still be numb for an hour or so after the surgery, and you’ll have a piece of gauze held over the wound to simulate a clot. After you take the gauze out, you should be cautious if you decide to eat. You’ll still be numb, so you should avoid anything chewy in case you accidentally bite down on your cheek. In a similar vein, you should steer clear of anything that could burn your mouth.
What Foods Do I Avoid While Healing?
The most important thing after your wisdom tooth removal is to protect the emerging clot that’s forming in the surgical area. If it comes loose, you can wind up with a painful condition known as dry socket, where your bones and nerves become exposed.
Until the wound fully heals, you should avoid chewy or gummy foods that could cause the clot to come loose. Most importantly, you need to stay away from suction that can pull the clot out. Sucking through straws or smoking is an easy way to wind up with dry socket, so you should refrain from doing those things until you’ve healed completely.
Foods to Eat While Healing
If you want some foods that can protect your clot, here are some staples for you to eat while you’re healing:
- Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Apple Sauce
- Fruit Smoothies
- Soft chicken or fish
- Mashed Potatoes
- Avocados
- Soup
You can dip into other foods as your healing progresses, but if you stay disciplined, you’ll be able to heal considerably faster.
About Our Practice
At Los Gatos Dental Group, we work hard to offer comprehensive dental care to our patients in a warm, stress-free environment. We’ve been awarded the Spectrum Award for Customer Service two years in a row, and the Best of Los Gatos Awards for six years in a row! When you step foot into our office, you’ll know exactly how we earned all of this acclaim.
If you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (408) 402-0900.