Wisdom Teeth Removal: What can I eat after the procedure?

If you have an upcoming oral surgery scheduled to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you probably have some questions about what to expect after your treatment and how you should adjust your daily life the days following treatment so that you enjoy an optimal and comfortable recovery. The most important thing to note after treatment is that you will need to alter your diet for a few days. A liquid diet is recommended the day of and the first couple of days after your wisdom teeth have been removed. Liquids that are ideal to consume include broths, smoothies, and fruit juice. One or two days after your procedure, you can start to incorporate soft foods into your diet. Soft foods you can eat include mashed potatoes, pureed soups, and ice cream.

What is dry socket and why should I avoid it?

Dry socket is when the blood clot that forms over a tooth extraction site comes loose and falls off. Maintaining a blood clot over the extraction site is very important to the healing process. If we eat sharp foods or touch the extraction site with our fingers, we can dislodge the blood clot and ultimately affect our comfort level and ability to heal after our wisdom teeth are removed. When a person develops dry socket, he or she will need to return to our practice so that our oral surgeon can gently open the extraction site for the formation of a new clot.

How can I manage discomfort?

There are a few ways that a person can manage his or her discomfort after a tooth extraction. First, it is important to take prescription and/or over the counter medication exactly as directed. Taking this type of medicine when recommended will help control swelling and discomfort. It is important to start this medication as soon as recommended so that symptoms are controlled from the start. The day of and the day after your procedure, you can apply cold compresses to the outside of your face to manage swelling.

What if I have more questions?

If at any time you have questions about your treatment, call our practice. We will be happy to help you.