The majority of adults go through the painstaking process of getting their wisdom teeth out. Some adults have to go through the process more than once depending on circumstances. It’s not the most fun process however, it’s necessary more times than not, and will ensure patients don’t’ experience unnecessary pain when the wisdom teeth grow in. Whether you have to go through it once or twice, either way, there are a few food guidelines you’ll want to follow afterwards.
The procedure, whether done surgically or by tooth extraction, will leave a large hole where the tooth used to be. Sometimes, stitches will be utilized to close the hole, but not always. Even if stitches were used, you’ll not want to eat your average foods. You’ll want to be more careful as far as which food and drinks you put into your mouth. If you’re not careful, you could cause infection, dry socket, intense bleeding, or intensified pain. No food is worth all that mess.
Drinks
It’s usually best to stick to water, at least for the first few days. Avoid acidic drinks such as soda for around one to two weeks after wisdom teeth removal. This will ensure the extraction area is free from bacteria and anything that might cause the blood clot to come loose, resulting in dry socket. For the first 24 hours after the procedure, it is best if you don’t swish water around in your mouth or rinse your mouth out since this also could cause the blood clot to dislodge. After the first 24-48 hours, it’s safe to rinse and is even encouraged to further help the procedure area to stay clean. Always be gentle when rinsing.
Foods
Since the procedure area of your mouth will be very sensitive, only soft foods are encouraged. For around a week after wisdom teeth removal, foods such as apple sauce and mashed potatoes are encouraged. No foods such as candy, chips, etc. These are not only bad for your teeth in general but, they can cause negative side effects such as dry socket and infection. Other foods that are suggested for the week following wisdom teeth removal are, yogurt, eggs, soups with no large chunks, soft or mashed bananas, smoothies, oatmeal, etc. Any food that can be made soft without large chunks in it is acceptable. Any fruit that can be mashed or pureed into smoothie or something just as soft is a great idea too. Be sure to include nutritious items since you will be following these guidelines for a full week. Your body will need the boost of nutrients to heal properly in that time. If your body isn’t getting very many good nutrients, it could take longer to heal.
Getting wisdom teeth out is no picnic no matter what route you have to go to get them out. Even after you get them out, it can be a bit of a struggle for a few days following the procedure. However, you’ll be happy you got them out and got it over with especially since they can cause even more pain and issues if left in, which is a common issue for many patients. As always, if you have any questions once you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, always be sure to call your dental professional so they can advise you based on your specific circumstances. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and most dental professionals welcome the questions and a chance to teach patients.
