What Can You Safely Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Wisdom Tooth Surgery is common. More often than not, wisdom teeth cause problems and need to be extracted. If your dentist has recommended that you have your wisdom teeth removed, you may have some questions about the procedure. 

One of the most common questions about wisdom teeth removal is regarding what to eat afterwards. Here are some suggestions for foods that are safe to eat after having your wisdom teeth extracted. 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Your wisdom teeth are the third molars that come in behind your second molars in the back of your mouth. They commonly form and erupt in the late teenage years or early 20s, which is why they earned the name “wisdom teeth” -  because they come in during the age where people are said to achieve wisdom and maturity. Most people have 4 wisdom teeth in total. 

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted? 

Wisdom teeth take up space in the mouth, often too much additional space for most people’s jaws. As the human diet evolved and no longer consisted of raw meat, rough vegetation, and other heavy debris, our jaws have evolved smaller and no longer have room for the late developing third molars. 

Due to the lack of space, wisdom teeth often come in malpositioned or impacted, becoming entrapped under the second molars and encroaching on the roots. Wisdom tooth encroachment on the second molars can cause crowding and misalignment of the teeth, as well as pain in the jaw. 

Removing wisdom teeth is usually the best choice for most patients to preserve their dental health. 

What Can I Eat After Getting My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

There are many soft foods that are safe to eat after getting your wisdom teeth removed, such as: 

• Soft protein. Some sources of protein that are soft to avoid irritation to the surgical sites include eggs, yogurt (especially Greek), cottage cheese, mashed or refried beans, and bone broth. Protein drinks are also fine, just avoid drinking through a straw. 
• Soft carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a good source of energy and comfort, such as: mashed potatoes, soft bread, pasta, and rice. 
• Soft fruits and vegetables. Any fruits and vegetables that are soft or can be cooked until soft and mashed are good to eat. Bananas, peeled pears, canned fruit, smoothies, cooked carrots, cooked spinach and other greens, and canned green beans are some suggestions. 
• Cold treats. Milkshakes, popsicles, soft ice cream, and other cold treats are good for reducing swelling and inflammation after wisdom teeth removal. 

Why Can’t You Drink From a Straw? 

You may have heard, and your oral surgeon will surely advise you, not to drink from a straw following tooth extraction of any kind. The reason is that the sucking motion used to drink from a straw can dislodge the blood clot in the socket where your tooth was removed, causing bleeding, delayed healing and sometimes a condition called dry socket. Dry socket can be painful and delay healing of the tissue, so it is always best to avoid drinking from a straw after having your wisdom teeth removed for at least 72 hours. 

When Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Your oral surgeon can let you know when it is the right time to have your wisdom teeth removed based on X-Rays taken at your consultation appointment. The most common time to have your wisdom teeth removed is the summer after you graduate from high school, or around the age of 18. Some people’s wisdom teeth don’t come in until they are 20 or older, but if you are a student, summertime is often the ideal time to get this done. 

Need Wisdom Teeth Removal? 

If you’re in need of wisdom teeth extraction, Lucca Oral and Facial Surgery provides this service on a regular basis. We offer a wide range of anesthesia and sedation options to make the procedure as comfortable for you as possible. Advanced technology makes the process as minimally invasive as possible so that you can recover quickly and get back to your regular routine. 

Call  617-300-0345 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.