Patients who are facing wisdom teeth extraction want to be prepared for the post-operative period so that they can reduce their risk of complications. This includes knowing what adjustments they need to make to their diet as they heal.
Our oral surgeon will cover this topic more thoroughly in your pre-operative instructions, but generally speaking, patients should eat a softer diet for the first few days after the procedure. Choose foods that are easier to chew, like ice cream, applesauce, soups, smoothies or mashed potatoes. Hold off on foods that are crunchy, chewy or that may have sharp edges for a week or so until you have healed a bit so that you don’t run the risk of re-opening the incision. Acidic or spicy foods can also cause irritation at the extraction site, so avoid these in the initial days after your surgery, as well.
You should not drink beverages through straws after you have your wisdom teeth extracted until our oral surgeon indicates that it’s safe to do so. Drinking through straws increase the risk that you’ll develop dry sockets, which is the painful condition that occurs when the blood clot that protects the empty socket is dislodged prematurely or fails to form at all. Smoking also increases the risk of dry sockets.
The surgeon will also review other instructions, such as how to keep the extraction site clean so that you can reduce the risk of infection after your surgery. If an infection develops, it can interfere with healing and keep you out of commission for a longer period of time.
It’s important to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions closely to minimize the chances that you’ll have problems after your wisdom teeth are removed. If you have any questions about what you can eat after your wisdom tooth extraction, or any other aspect of your care following the procedure, please ask our surgeon or speak to another member of our experienced staff to address any of your concerns.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Tye, contact our office today!
