Foods After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Extraction of wisdom teeth may be much more painful than regular tooth extraction because of impaction--tooth blocked from breaking out of the gum--or because all wisdom teeth are extracted at once. During wisdom tooth extraction, the dentist opens up the gum tissue and removes the bone covering the tooth, then removes the tooth. This type of oral surgery may call for stitches, which may dissolve or be removed later. Individuals should eat foods that don't harm the surgical procedure of extraction.

Liquids

• After wisdom tooth extraction, patients should not drink from a straw. Drinking from a straw requires sucking in liquid. Taking liquid in this way slows the healing process and may not allow the blood clot in the tooth socket to form well. Also, do not drink liquids that are too hot. Cool liquids, thin soups and broths are acceptable during the first few days after wisdom teeth extraction.

Soft Foods

• Start to incorporate soft foods a day or two after oral surgery. Soft foods allow the blood clot to still form fully without being lost and doesn't add to the pain of eating more solid foods. Soft foods include mashed potatoes, pudding, smoothies---be sure to consume smoothie with a spoon and not a straw---yogurt without fruit chunks, oatmeal and other hot cereals, ice cream, gelatin snacks and apple sauce. Remember, to avoid additional pain at the extraction site, make sure food prepared hot is not served too hot.

Solid Foods

• This stage should be referred to as the soft-solid stage, as these food are more solid but still very soft. A few days after extraction the mouth is less sore and you can add these foods gradually. Solid but soft foods include sushi---California rolls are very soft and easy to chew---macaroni and cheese, rice, scrambled eggs and pasta. Rice is more consumable prepared mushy to decrease the possibility of rice becoming stuck in the cavity where the tooth was removed.