The Best Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal, According to a Dentist

Your oral surgeon will give you a full list of care guidelines after your surgery, and you should ask any questions you may have about the healing process.

To help you craft your diet after the surgery, we spoke to Henry Ferguson, DMD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Augusta, Georgia, about which foods to eat — and which to avoid — following wisdom teeth removal.

What Are the Safest Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Consider the following advice on what to eat when recovering from wisdom teeth surgery.

Liquids — Day of Surgery

Ferguson also suggests blending some of your favorite nutrient-dense foods into a smoothie to keep you satiated at mealtimes.

“The day of, you should be really careful not to do too much eating,” Ferguson says. Consistent chewing can be painful for your extraction sites, so it’s much better to drink your meals or eat foods that don’t require chewing.

• Broth
• Soup
• Protein shakes

However, it’s important to avoid using straws while you’re following a temporary liquid diet, Ferguson says, because sucking on straws can irritate your healing gums or potentially lead to a complication called “dry socket.”

Mushy Foods — Day 1

“The first day [after surgery] you should eat really soft foods,” Ferguson says. “Everyone is different, so it’s really based on the patient’s discretion. If you’re eating something that’s soft and it’s uncomfortable, then eat something that’s even softer.”

• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Grits
• Smoothies
• Pudding
• Gelatin
• Ice cream
• Yogurt
• Applesauce

Ferguson notes the first three to five days are a crucial recovery period because infections and complications are most likely to occur at this stage. If you’re experiencing abnormal symptoms, such as fever, excessive bleeding, pus drainage, or facial numbness, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Soft Foods — First and Second Week

Throughout the first and second week following your surgery, Ferguson says to add semisolid foods into your diet, such as soft pastas and breads.

You can also enjoy soft fruits and vegetables and soft meat and fish during the week or two following your procedure, Ferguson says.

• Mashed bananas
• Avocado
• Mushy peas
• Hummus
• Soft, well-cooked vegetables
• Tuna or chicken salad (without chunks of harder foods like celery)
• Deli meat slices
• Meatloaf
• Ground beef

For instance, you may be wondering when you can eat steak or if you can eat sausage after your wisdom teeth removal. Unfortunately, these types of meat may be too tough or chewy for this phase of your recovery, and it’s likely best to hold off until the extraction site has had more time to heal.

The same goes for eating shrimp after your tooth extraction. This chewy seafood may require more gnawing than is safe at this stage.

If you’re curious whether you can eat another type of food after your tooth extraction, check with your dentist to see if it’s safe.

What Foods Should You Avoid After Having Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

• Chips
• Crackers
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables
• Seeds
• Tomato products
• Citrus fruits
• Chili
• Salsa
• Hot Peppers
• Alcoholic, caffeinated, or carbonated beverages

5 Other Ways to Encourage Healing After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Although having the right foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal can do a lot to help your recovery, there are some other things you can do to make the healing process easier.

“Home care and hygiene need to be maintained,” Ferguson says. Here are ways to help your surgery sites heal:

1. ‌Brush Gently Twice Daily Because electric toothbrushes can be hard on gums that are healing, stick to a manual toothbrush while recovering from wisdom teeth surgery.

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2. ‌Rinse Regularly “You can use a syringe to rinse out the extraction sites and prevent food and debris from accumulating in the sockets,” Ferguson says. He suggests loading the syringe with antibacterial mouthwash mixed with warm water. You could also use warm salt water. No rinsing should be done until 24 hours after surgery. After that, gently rinsing after meals is recommended.

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3. ‌Reduce Swelling Icing your face on and off in 15-minute intervals during the first week may help relieve some of your discomfort.

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4. ‌Take All Prescriptions as Instructed If you have any questions about your medication treatment plan, ask your pharmacist or dentist.
5. ‌Do Not Smoke If you smoke, wait at least 72 hours after your procedure. Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications from wisdom teeth surgery.

The Takeaway

• After having your wisdom teeth removed, focus on consuming soft and liquid foods like broths, soups, and smoothies to aid the healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
• As your recovery progresses over the first two weeks, gradually introduce semisolid and soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and well-cooked vegetables to your diet.
• Avoid using straws, eating foods that are difficult to chew, and smoking because these activities can dislodge the protective blood clot and lead to a painful dry socket.
• If you have any questions about what’s safe to eat or experience unusual symptoms like excessive bleeding, fever, or severe pain, talk to your doctor.