15 Foods to Eat After Wisdom Removal!
Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth are also known as third molars. They grow on the back of the gums and are typically the last teeth to emerge.
Also, most people have four wisdom teeth, one that grows in each corner of their mouth. Because there is little space at the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth can develop at odd angles or only partially erupt. These are called impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of problems. They can become infected, damage neighboring teeth, cause crowding or start to rot because they are difficult to clean.
People often have their wisdom teeth removed to solve these problems. However, wisdom teeth do not need to be removed unless they cause problems.
After you have your wisdom teeth removed, it’s very important to make sure you’re getting the right nutrition. A nutritious diet minimizes the risk of complications, helps reduce swelling, provides nutrition and aids in the wound healing process.
The foods you eat after surgery should be soft and easy to chew. They should also be abundant in vitamins, minerals, energy and protein to help with wound healing.
Foods to Eat After Wisdom Removal:
1. Soups:
Soups are great foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed. They are easy to consume and contain no parts that could irritate the surgery area.
In addition, soups are often rich in vitamins and minerals . This helps ensure you meet your daily nutritional recommendations when you can’t eat a lot of whole fruits or vegetables .
Soups can also keep you hydrated, which is very important after surgery. It is advisable to ensure that your soups are lukewarm or cold, as hot soups can cause irritation. Also, be sure to mash vegetable soups as smooth as possible to avoid lumps.
2. Broths:
Like soups, broths are an excellent source of nutrition after dental surgery, so they are among the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed. Not only are they delicious, they also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Plus, broths are a great way to stay hydrated if you struggle to drink plenty of water.
Bone broth is a type of broth that is touted for its health benefits. It is a nutritious broth that is made by boiling animal bones and connective tissue.
While there are no direct studies on the health effects of bone broth, studies on the components of bone broth suggest that it may have anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Be sure to consume the broth warm or cold to avoid irritating the wound.
3. Greek yogurt:
Greek yogurt is a healthy, protein -rich food , making it a great choice among foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed. It has a smooth, creamy texture that is very soothing and can help numb the mouth.
Greek yogurt is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals such as calcium and zinc. Also, protein-rich foods can help with the recovery process. In fact, several studies have linked a low-protein diet to a slower recovery process.
In addition, studies show that an adequate intake of zinc can promote wound healing. However, if your zinc status is already good, consuming additional zinc may not bring additional benefits.
That said, many zinc-rich foods like meats and other meats are difficult to consume after dental surgery, so Greek yogurt can be a great alternative.
4. Mashed Potatoes:
Potatoes are versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Specifically, mashed potatoes can be one of the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed. . They are rich in calories and nutrients, both of which are important for recovery.
This is because people have slightly higher energy needs after surgery.
Mashed potatoes allow you to consume a lot of nutrients and energy in just a few bites, which is great if you’re struggling to eat enough food. Just make sure your mashed potatoes are warm or cold, as hot foods can irritate the sore.
5. Scrambled eggs:
Eggs are among the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed . They are a source of high quality protein and abundant in vitamins and minerals.
When it comes to buying eggs, try to find varieties that are pasteurized or enriched with omega-3s . They tend to have more omega-3 fats , which can help with wound healing. Scrambled eggs can be easier to chew and swallow compared to other types of eggs.
6. Applesauce:
Apples are hard and crunchy, which is not ideal after having your wisdom teeth removed. Fortunately, eating apples is a way to increase your fruit intake while preventing irritation.
However, apples can usually be pureed, which are typically skinless and crunchy, which reduces their nutritional content. This is because the skin contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and fiber .
However , a skinless apple is a good source of vitamins like vitamin C. This vitamin can help boost the immune system , which in turn can help with the wound healing process.
7. Mashed bananas:
Bananas are among the most popular fruits in the world. Its soft texture makes it easy to chew and swallow after dental surgery, so it’s one of the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed .
In addition, bananas are incredibly nutritious and provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin B6 , manganese , and folate .
8. Banana ice cream:
People generally recommend eating ice cream when you’re recovering from wisdom tooth surgery, but it’s not a nutritious choice.
While the cold can have a soothing effect on the sore, ice cream is typically high in sugar, making it very unhealthy. Banana ice cream is a healthy and delicious homemade alternative to regular ice cream, so it’s among the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed.
9. Avocado:
Avocados are a unique fruit. While most fruits are high in carbs , avocados are low in carbs but high in healthy fats.
Their smooth, creamy texture makes them great foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed . Avocados are very nutritious and a rich source of vitamin K , vitamin C and potassium.
Interestingly, an animal study found that avocados can speed up the wound healing process. While this research does not indicate whether avocados accelerate healing in humans, the findings are promising.
10. Smoothies:
Smoothies are a great way to boost your nutrition when you struggle to eat a solid meal. They are easy to consume and highly versatile, as you can adjust the ingredients in smoothies to suit your taste and achieve your nutritional goals.
For example, smoothies with Greek yogurt or a scoop of protein powder can significantly increase your protein intake, which is important for recovery. Studies have shown that a low protein intake can hamper the recovery process.
11. Hummus:
Hummus is a common dip in Middle Eastern cuisine that has become popular all over the world. It is a great source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and protein. This makes hummus a great food choice to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed.
You can make hummus by mixing chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon and garlic in a food processor. Alternatively, you can buy pre-made hummus at most supermarkets.
Unfortunately, you may not be able to enjoy hummus with fries or pita bread because its crunchy texture can damage the wound. However, hummus is still delicious to eat on its own.
12. Cottage cheese:
Cottage cheese is low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals . It’s soft and creamy, which makes it easy to chew and swallow while you’re recovering from wisdom tooth surgery.
Plus, curd is packed with protein, which can help with wound healing. Cottage cheese is also easy to incorporate into your diet . Try adding it to scrambled eggs or your smoothies.
13. Instant Oat Flour:
Oatmeal is among the healthiest foods on the planet, and one of the foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed . It is a good source of fiber and loaded with vitamins and minerals.
Oatmeal has a slightly chewy and sticky texture, so it’s best to wait to consume it until at least three days after having your wisdom teeth removed.
It is also better to opt for instant oatmeal because it is less chewy than other types, such as oatmeal made with steel-cut oats. To avoid irritation, make sure the oatmeal has cooled down before eating it.
14. Pumpkin puree:
Pumpkin is a popular autumn vegetable that is one of the great foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed . Its soft and squishy texture makes it easy to chew and swallow without causing irritation.
In addition, pumpkin is rich in vitamins A , C and E, as well as minerals such as potassium. These vitamins can help promote immunity, which in turn can help the body recover from wisdom tooth removal. However, be sure to let the squash cool down so as not to irritate your wound.
15. Salmon:
Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. It’s also one of the great foods to eat after your wisdom tooth is removed , because the meat is soft and easy to chew.
Salmon is a rich source of protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids . These fats can help with wound healing by reducing inflammation, especially if you already have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids .
While inflammation is essential to the wound healing process, excess inflammation can impede recovery if it lasts too long.
Foods to avoid:
Various types of foods can irritate the sores in your mouth as they heal after surgery. Here are some foods to avoid after your wisdom tooth is removed.
- Spicy Foods: May cause pain and irritation.
- Crunchy and crumbly foods: Foods like potato chips and crackers can get lodged in the wound area and get in the way of healing.
- Most grains and seeds: Can also get lodged in the wound and stop healing.
- Chewable foods: These can increase your risk of biting your cheek, lips, and tongue, especially right after surgery, while your senses are still numb.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol during the recovery period after your wisdom tooth is removed. It can irritate the wound or interact with any prescribed medication.
- It’s also important to avoid using a straw while you’re recovering from your wisdom tooth removal. Straws create suction in the mouth which increases the risk of developing a dry cavity.
A dry socket is a painful condition in which the clot that was protecting the area where the tooth was removed is dislodged. As a result, the underlying bones and nerves are exposed to air, which causes pain and delays healing.