It’s very common to ask the question after a wisdom teeth removal of how long afterward you have to wait until you can eat. Of course, it’s an entirely valid question: your mouth is likely numb after the anesthetic used during surgery. And after the anesthetic wears off, your mouth might feel tender and sore. You might have swelling in your jaw, and you might not even feel like eating at all.
But after all, it’s essential to maintain good nutrition so that your recovery can proceed normally. Eating healthy foods that don’t hurt the recovery process will allow your body to heal and rebuild tissues in the surgical area. So, in this post, we’ll look at how long after your procedure you should wait to eat. We’ll also look at what foods you should eat until you can resume your regular diet.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can I Eat?
Well, the answer is that you can eat pretty soon after your surgery is complete. But since it’s essential not to have particles of food stuck in the surgical area, you’ll be sticking to soft, mushy foods and liquids.
For a period beginning at 3 days up to a week after your surgery, you can stock up on foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, custard, ice cream, soups, and Jell-O. Make sure the foods aren’t hot, though! Let your food get warm or cool completely before eating.
After about 5 days to a week, gradually incorporate semi-soft foods into your diet. This can include scrambled eggs, oatmeal, bread, soft vegetables, pasta, and macaroni & cheese.
Take care, however, to avoid foods that can potentially cause harm. Alcoholic, caffeinated and carbonated beverages must be avoided, as they can cause irritation. The same goes for citrus juices.
Grainy foods (seeds, rice that isn’t thoroughly cooked, nuts and chips) must be avoided as well, as particles of food can become trapped in the healing area.
And while you can have milkshakes, for example, take care not to use a straw to consume any beverages. After an extraction, sucking through a straw can dislodge the blood clot over the extraction area and result in complications such as a dry socket.
Conclusion: Don’t Deprive Yourself, But Be Smart
Getting your wisdom teeth removed is an excellent chance for you to sit back, allow your body to recover, and take a nice break. Indulging in your favorite foods is entirely possible! You must, however, be sure to follow the recovery period guidelines and gradually introduce semi-soft and semi-solid foods as you heal. Slowly, as recovery completes, you can return to your regular diet.
At Nimmi Shine Dental, we specialize in helping you maintain your oral health. We use the latest technology available at our state-of-the-art dental treatment center. This allows our expert dentists to give you the best quality treatment possible.
We offer free consultations and promise to provide you with the highest standard of dental care. Give us a call at our dental office in San Diego at (858) 999-8550. We look forward to seeing you.