It is very important for your recovery after oral surgery to know what to eat after having your wisdom teeth taken out or a tooth pulled. If you make a list of foods ahead of time, it’s easy to fill up your fridge and pantry while you rest. Plus, it makes it more convenient for anyone who is staying with you to help. There are many foods that are safe to eat after oral surgery, but sometimes it’s hard to think of new ones. It might be easier to do your grocery shopping before your appointment if you have a long “recovery menu” to choose from.
Depending on your taste buds and personal preferences, our Ottawa dentist says the following foods are safe to eat after an extraction:
Gelatin, Pudding, and Ice Cream — Make sure one or all of these “treats” is in your kitchen. The cool texture can ease irritation and swelling while you eat. It’s always safe to eat as long as it’s smooth and doesn’t have anything added to it, like nuts in ice cream. Depending on your tastes, one or more of these common foods should be at the top of your shopping list after surgery.
Popsicles—These don’t really “fill you up,” but they can help numb your mouth if it’s still sore and give you the taste of something to make it seem like you’re eating. Plus, they’re easy on your stomach if you’re just coming out of sedation or feel slightly nauseous.
Cottage cheese and yogurt—Depending on your taste and texture preferences, you should have one or both of these foods on hand after an extraction. Since you don’t have to chew much, you can eat the whole thing as long as it doesn’t make your stomach upset.
Smoothies and Shakes—Milkshakes and smoothies are safe to eat after oral surgery like wisdom teeth removal as long as you don’t drink them through a straw and have them with a spoon. If you have a blender, consider buying pre-packaged smoothie mixes or fresh fruit to simplify the process. We think it would be best for you to have someone else get you a milkshake since you won’t be able to drive for a while.
Oatmeal or Grits—You can eat warm breakfast cereals like oatmeal and grits as long as they’re not too hot. It’s important not to add any toppings, like nuts or hard fruits, because they could hurt the area where the juice is extracted. Plain oatmeal or grits that have been sweetened with honey, jam, or agave nectar can be a tasty and filling food choice.
Mashed Potatoes—Mashed potatoes that have been peeled and topped with cheese and sour cream taste great. Just avoid the bacon bits for now! The key is to keep the consistency as soft as possible. If the mashed potatoes are too thick, consider adding milk to transform it into creamy potato soup. Tip: Buy instant mashed potatoes for a fast, single-sized serving when you’re feeling hungry.
Chocolate Milk — Many people turn to chocolate milk after long workouts like running or cycling. It’s rich in calcium, protein, and other vitamins and minerals. If you’re not quite ready to eat anything solid, chocolate milk can help appease your food cravings. Just be sure not to drink through a straw, as it might dislodge your clot.
Scrambled Eggs — If you like eggs, plan to buy a dozen or so. Soft, scrambled eggs make an excellent breakfast if you’ve just had a tooth pulled. This means that you can chew on the other side of your mouth or with your front teeth since they’re not too hard. The smooth texture is non-irritating, so there’s no need to worry about irritating the surgical area.
Apple Sauce: Apple sauce, whether plain, sweetened, or flavored, is gentle on extraction sites, so you don’t have to worry about hurting any blood clots or stitches. Plus, it’s packed with fibre.
Canned Peaches—Diced peaches from a can don’t need much chewing, but they still make you feel like you’re eating solid food. Even though most canned fruits are high in sugar or syrup, they are a safe and easy meal option for people who have recently had oral surgery.
Avocados—A ripe, soft avocado is easy to mash and eat with a spoon if you’re ready to move on to slightly firmer foods. You might say, “I’ll just buy guacamole,” but that’s probably not a good idea because different blends can be spicy or chunky.
Puréed Foods—Some foods, like a banana or steamed vegetables, aren’t really hard, but they might be too firm to chew after having a tooth pulled. Instead, consider pureeing them in a food processor. It will be more like baby food in texture, which is fine to eat, and it will add to your healthy food choices.
Having your wisdom teeth removed is a rite of passage for many people. While recovering, it’s natural to crave the foods you love, like bacon. But is bacon safe to eat after wisdom tooth extraction? I’ll walk you through when it’s okay to indulge in this tasty treat.
Healing Comes First
The most important thing after wisdom tooth removal is allowing your mouth to heal. Those holes where your teeth used to be are open wounds, vulnerable to bacteria and infection. Anything you eat could get lodged in the extraction sites, slowing healing.
For at least the first 24 hours, stick to liquids and soft foods like yogurt, apple sauce, and smoothies The last thing you want is a piece of bacon jammed into a healing tooth socket!
Around day 3-5, you can graduate to soft foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, and overcooked vegetables. But crunchy, chewy foods are still off limits.
Steer Clear of Bacon Initially
Bacon is very tough and chewy Taking a big bite could dislodge the clot forming in the extraction site Ouch!
Most dentists recommend avoiding any hard, crunchy, or chewy foods for 7-10 days after surgery. That means no bacon, nuts, chips, bread, meat, or other tough foods during the initial healing phase.
I know, it’s tragic to skip bacon for over a week! But protecting those extraction sites is crucial for proper, pain-free healing.
Watch for Signs You’re Ready
How do you know when the time is right to try bacon after surgery? Here are some signs your mouth is ready:
- The holes have closed up
- Swelling has gone down
- You can open your mouth normally
- Chewing soft foods isn’t painful
- Bleeding has stopped
When you hit these milestones, usually around 10-14 days after surgery, you can start carefully testing more solid foods.
Take a Small Bite
Don’t go crazy with a whole plate of bacon your first time trying it after wisdom teeth removal. Take a small piece and cautiously take a bite.
Chew it very gently on the opposite side of your mouth from the extraction sites. See how your gums respond.
If you feel sharp pain or bleeding, stop. Stick to softer foods a bit longer. But if it feels okay, you can probably handle bacon in moderation.
Watch Out for Sensitivity
Even after you’ve recovered fully, those wisdom tooth sites may remain sensitive. The first month or two after surgery, they are more prone to irritation.
Chew bacon slowly and carefully until those areas have toughened up. And stop eating if you feel soreness or pain.
Talk to Your Dentist
Your dentist or oral surgeon can give you personalized guidance on introducing foods like bacon after wisdom teeth removal.
Some experts say to wait 2 weeks until everything has healed. But if you had an especially complicated extraction, your dentist may recommend waiting longer.
Every person heals differently, so check in with your dentist for advice specific to your situation.
Satisfy Your Bacon Craving Another Way
While you wait to eat real bacon, you can get your fix another way:
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Turkey bacon – Less chewy than regular bacon, so may be an option sooner.
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Bacon bits – Sprinkle some smoky bacon flavor on salads and soups.
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Bacon seasoning – Add a dash of bacon salt to eggs, veggies, chicken, etc.
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Maple candy – Get the sweet, salty taste of bacon in lollipop form.
##stick to a soft foods only diet for at least 3-5 days after surgery
I know the cravings are real after wisdom tooth extraction! But indulging in bacon or other tough foods too soon could damage healing extraction sites and cause problems like dry socket.
Have patience and allow your mouth to properly heal before taking even small bites of bacon. Follow your dentist’s timeline, watch for signs you are recovering well, and take it slow as you gradually reintroduce more solid foods.
Foods to Avoid After Tooth and Wisdom Teeth Extractions
There are a lot more foods that you shouldn’t eat after having a tooth pulled than there are that you can. Generally, you need to avoid anything hard, crunchy, sharp (such as chips), spicy or hot.
Also, don’t drink through a straw (the suction is bad for healing extraction sites) or any drinks that are alcoholic or caffeine-based. Smoking is also contraindicated. These factors could potentially disrupt the blood clot that forms over your extraction site. If that happens, it can lead to painful dry socket and increase the length of your recovery time.
What To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal (Tips To Avoid Infections)
Can you eat salmon after wisdom teeth removal?
Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. This flaky fish is also excellent to eat after wisdom teeth removal because it’s soft and easy to chew. Wild-caught salmon is high in protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. These fats may help with wound healing by reducing inflammation.
What are the best ways to manage pain after wisdom teeth removal?
Pain and discomfort are common after wisdom tooth removal. Taking prescribed pain medication, applying cold compresses to the affected area, using warm saltwater rinses, maintaining adequate oral hygiene, following dietary recommendations, resting and elevating your head, and avoiding strenuous activity are all useful approaches to managing pain and assisting healing after wisdom tooth removal. Always follow the post-operative instructions given by your dental practitioner and adhere to all follow-up appointments to avoid complications.
Can you eat soft foods after a wisdom tooth removal?
After the removal of a wisdom tooth, a person may find it beneficial to eat soft foods because they do not require chewing. People should aim to avoid hard foods. Wisdom teeth are the last molars to emerge. They usually appear when a person reaches their late teenage years or early 20s.
Can you eat bananas after wisdom tooth removal?
Bananas Just like applesauce, bananas are good for upset stomachs too. But their soft texture and nutritional components also make bananas a great meal substitute when you’re recovering from wisdom tooth removal or other types of dental surgery. The riper your bananas are, the softer and sweeter they’ll taste.
Can you eat couscous after wisdom teeth removal?
If you’re not a quinoa fan or you want to mix things up a little bit, couscous is a great alternative. Just like there are safe foods and textures to eat after wisdom teeth surgery or oral surgery, you also need to know what NOT to eat after a wisdom tooth removal.
Can you eat avocado after wisdom teeth removal?
You could spread your avocado on some soft white bread with the crusts cut off if you feel like it. Avocados also provide healthy fats and natural fibre which are often two things that patients struggle to consume shortly after having their wisdom teeth removed. Check out these helpful avocado-based recipes you can try out: