When can i start eating solid food after tooth extraction

Even though we all love smoothies and ice cream, a common question our patients ask is, “When can I eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal?” Well, there are multiple factors at play here. How soon you’ll start eating solid foods mainly depends on the patient’s comfort level and how fast the healing process is progressing.

At Katy Cypress Oral Surgery & Implant Centre, our dentists and oral surgeons typically recommend waiting about a week before you resume eating solid food again after oral surgery. But it all comes down to how well you are following wisdom teeth removal aftercare. Let’s give a full read to learn more about the wisdom teeth removal recovery timeline and much more!

When Can You Eat Solid Foods Depends On How Well You Are Caring For Your Gums After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Caring for your gums after wisdom teeth extraction is crucial for better recovery without complications. As we know, wisdom teeth removal is a surgery performed at a dentist or oral surgeon’s office. Although most teeth can be removed without cutting or incisions, some impacted wisdom teeth require surgery to remove bone and other obstructions while removing large molars. You may also require extensive anesthesia and possibly sedation while undergoing wisdom teeth removal. This will allow you to get done with your procedure without feeling discomfort or pain.

Once your wisdom teeth are removed, your gums will have holes that need to heal. Your oral surgeon will likely fill and cover the extraction site to help keep it clean. Thus, restricting foods and drinks during the initial days of your teeth extraction recovery time. This will help reduce the risk of complications like infections and reduce irritation to the wounds. Therefore, knowing which foods you can eat after wisdom teeth removal is essential. The main idea is to minimize the risk of damage and help the extraction sites to heal faster.

For the first 1-2 days, eat only drinks and soft foods like ice cream, yogurt, and applesauce. Moreover, cold foods like ice cream and smoothies may help you with some of the discomforts. And as you start feeling better, you can try adding more solid foods gradually. On the third day after wisdom tooth extraction, you can add foods like toast, oatmeal, or eggs. You may also want to learn more about “What to eat and what not to eat after wisdom teeth removal?”

You can increase solid foods one by one if chewing doesn’t cause any pain. But if you do feel pain when chewing, it is advisable to go back to soft and semi-soft foods.

Take Away

When can you eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal? Generally, most people can resume a regular diet within a week. So if you take good care of your wound and follow your doctor’s instructions, you can likely eat solid foods again after one week of your wisdom teeth removal procedure.

Overview

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars located in the back of your mouth. They typically come in when you’re between 17 and 25 years of age. It’s common to have your wisdom teeth removed. They may need to be removed because they’re impacted and won’t come in normally. Or they may need to be removed because they’re coming in at a wrong angle.

During the removal procedure, you’ll be given anesthesia. Many surgeons will use some form of local, sedation, or general anesthesia. If your teeth haven’t come in yet, your surgeon will likely make incisions to remove them. They may need to remove bone if it’s blocking access to the root of the tooth. Once the teeth are removed, they’ll clean the site and add stitches to close the incision site if necessary. They’ll also place gauze over the extraction site.

What you eat following your wisdom teeth removal is important. Eating soft or liquid foods won’t irritate the extraction site, helping it to heal faster. Some foods and drinks can irritate or become trapped in the extraction sites, leading to infection. It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders about what to eat following surgery.

Immediately following your wisdom teeth removal and during recovery, you’ll want to start with liquid and soft foods. You won’t have to chew these foods, saving you some pain. Avoid eating harder foods at this time, as these might damage, or get trapped in, the recovering area.

Examples of liquid and soft foods include:

  • apple sauce
  • yogurt
  • smoothies
  • broths and blended soups
  • mashed potatoes
  • Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream

Cold foods like Jell-O, smoothies, and ice cream may relieve some discomfort. Nutrient-rich soups and smoothies can help promote healing. Soups in particular can help balance out the other high-sugar options on the list.

As you start to heal, you can incorporate more normal foods. Start off easy with semisoft foods like scrambled eggs, instant oatmeal, and toast before moving to foods like chicken, fruits, and vegetables.

There are some foods that you should avoid following your wisdom teeth removal. Stick to the foods listed above for the first few days. Avoid the following foods for a week or more until the extraction site has healed.

  • Acidic and spicy foods (including citrus juice) may cause irritation and pain.
  • Alcoholic beverages can irritate the area and are likely to interact negatively with the pain medication prescribed by your doctor.
  • Grains (including rice and quinoa) and any types of seeds can easily become trapped in the extraction site.
  • Hard or difficult-to-chew foods (including nuts, chips, and jerky) can reopen the stitches and delay healing.

You should also avoid smoking or using any type of tobacco for a minimum of 72 hours after surgery as it can severely increase the risk of complications. Don’t use chewing tobacco for at least a week.

For the first 24 to 48 hours, eat only liquid and soft foods like yogurt, apple sauce, and ice cream. Cold foods may help with some of the discomfort.

As you start to feel better, you can try incorporating more solid foods. On the third day after surgery, try foods like eggs, toast, or oatmeal. Gradually continue to increase solid foods as chewing doesn’t cause any pain. If you experience pain when chewing, go back to soft and semisoft foods.

Many people are able to resume normal eating within a week.

Wisdom teeth removal complications aren’t common, but can occur. The most common complication is reopening of the extraction site, which delays healing.

Dry sockets

Dry sockets are also common. They occur when the blood fails to clot in the tooth socket, or if the clot becomes dislodged. This typically happens between three and five days after tooth removal. Dry sockets can be treated by your surgeon. They will flush out debris and may cover the socket with medicated dressing. Symptoms of dry sockets include:

  • an unpleasant taste or smell coming from the socket
  • aching or throbbing pain in the gum or jaw (it may be intense)
  • exposed bone

Infections

Infections can be caused by food particles or other bacteria becoming trapped in the socket where your wisdom teeth were removed. Bacteria can spread throughout the body and should be treated quickly. Symptoms of an infection include:

  • blood or pus from the extraction site
  • fever
  • spasms of the jaw muscles
  • chills
  • painful or swollen gums near the extraction area
  • bad taste or smell in the mouth

Nerve damage

Nerve damage from wisdom teeth removal is rare, but it can occur. During surgery, the trigeminal nerve may be injured. The injury is most often temporary, lasting several weeks or months. Nerve damage can be permanent if the injury is severe. Symptoms of nerve damage caused by wisdom tooth removal include:

  • pain
  • numbness or tingling in the gums, tongue, chin, surrounding teeth, and lower lips

Allergic reaction

If you show signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention. You may be allergic to the medications your doctor prescribed, including your pain medication. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing
  • feeling like your throat is closing or your tongue is swelling
  • lightheadedness
  • rapid heartrate
  • skin rash
  • fever

Most people heal quickly from wisdom teeth removal, as long as they follow the doctor’s instructions during recovery. Eating and drinking the right foods — and avoiding the wrong ones — is a crucial part of these instructions. You’ll be much more comfortable, and you’ll significantly decrease the chance of complications.

When can I start eating regular food after tooth extraction?

Avoid chewing from the extraction site for about two weeks following the procedure to disrupt and delay the healing process. While you can begin to eat your usual foods after three days, avoid very hot, spicy, acidic, sticky, and crunchy foods until your gum and jawbone is fully healed.

When can I eat 4 days after tooth extraction?

Food to eat after teeth extraction (2 – 5 days) You should be able to start returning hot food items to the menu by the second day as the blood clots will be more stable and less likely to restart bleeding. Any foods that require minimal chewing.