After having wisdom teeth removed, you must take care of your mouth and surgical sites so that they can heal. It’s important to avoid foods that can damage the extraction sites, which can then cause an infection or delay healing. We’ve put together a list of 10 foods you can enjoy after wisdom teeth removal surgery. By sticking to soft foods and lots of liquids, you can protect the extraction sites and help them heal faster.
You should not eat any foods, including the items on this list, that are too hot or too cold. It can take up to 24 hours for the effects of anesthesia to fully wear off, and numbness can remain in and around the mouth for several hours after surgery. Do not eat anything that is hotter than lukewarm to avoid burning the mouth and damaging the surgical area. Learn more about wisdom teeth at Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Dental Implant Surgery of Lubbock.
Broth-based or blended soups are great following wisdom teeth removal because they do not require chewing and do not contain anything that can damage the extraction sites. Soups are generally rich in vitamins and minerals, giving your body the nutrition it needs when you cannot eat whole fruits and vegetables. Blended soups also help keep you hydrated. There are many soup options to choose from, including pumpkin, tomato, beef broth, and cream of celery. If you have a blender, you can blend any soup with portions of meat or vegetables to make it smooth.
Eggs are an excellent food to eat after oral surgery. They have a high amount of quality protein that is rich in vitamins and minerals. While eggs cooked in numerous ways are generally soft, scrambled eggs are ideal because they are easier to chew and swallow. Egg whites are an option, but eating the egg yolks as well will provide more nutrients and calories, in turn giving you more energy.
Potatoes that are whipped to a smooth consistency are a fiber-rich, tasty food to enjoy after wisdom tooth surgery. They are higher in calories and nutrients, which can restore energy after surgery. You can benefit from the nutrients of mashed potatoes with just a few bites, making this a great option for those struggling to eat. Be sure to thoroughly mash the potatoes and get all of the lumps out. If you like sweet potatoes, you can mash them and add butter or cinnamon.
Yogurt has a smooth, light consistency that makes it easy to eat. While ice cream is also smooth and creamy, it is high in fat and sugar. Yogurt is a healthier alternative, and you can choose from a variety of fruity flavors like strawberry, lemon, peach, cherry, and more. Be sure to avoid yogurt with crunchy additives, like granola or cookie crumbles. You can also choose Greek yogurt, which is high in protein and other minerals like calcium and zinc.
Eating applesauce is a great way to increase your food intake without whole apples damaging your extraction sites. Most of an apple’s nutrients lie within its skin. To make applesauce, the skin is often removed, decreasing its nutritional value. However, the pureed apple used to make applesauce still contains many nutrients, like fiber and vitamin C to boost your immune system. You can also make homemade applesauce to reduce the amount of sugar.
Smoothies are excellent sources of nutrients and are incredibly versatile. You can choose the fruits and vegetables to suit your taste and to receive the vitamins and minerals you need. Add a scoop of Greek yogurt or protein powder to your smoothie to up your protein intake. Ideally, avoid adding food to smoothies that have a lot of seeds, like strawberries and blackberries. These seeds can get stuck in the extraction sites. Do not use a straw. The suction can dislodge the blood clot that has formed, resulting in a painful condition known as dry socket.
Hummus is another easy-to-eat food that you can purchase from the grocery store or make by yourself. To do this, blend chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, garlic, and lemon in a food processor. Many people like to enjoy hummus with chips or pita bread, but unfortunately, you must omit these options. However, hummus is still delicious and nutritious by itself!
Oats are filling and are a great source of fiber, plus other vitamins and minerals. Oats tend to be a little sticky, so you may need to wait 2–3 days after your wisdom tooth extraction to eat them. After a couple of days, heat up some instant oatmeal to enjoy. Instant oatmeal is less chewy than oatmeal made with steel cut oats. You can add some flavor with syrup or jams or can substitute instant oatmeal with cream of wheat.
Jell-O and pudding come in a variety of flavors to choose from. Be sure to avoid flavors that come with large pieces of fruit, cookie crumbles, or other crunchy additions. You can make Jell-O or pudding at home or purchase them pre-made from the grocery store. These easy-to-eat options have a long shelf life, making them a great choice for those who may not have a caretaker with them at all times during recovery. They are easy to make, access, and enjoy!
Salmon is one of the healthiest types of fish to eat and is a great source of protein to enjoy after oral surgery because it is soft and easy to chew. Salmon has a lot of healthy fats as well, like omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. You can bake salmon in the oven or cook it on the stove and add some butter for flavor.
