How long before you can eat after wisdom teeth removal

It is no secret that wisdom tooth removal is common and often necessary. But you may wonder how long it will take to return to your regular diet after surgery. The good news is that most people can resume their regular eating habits pretty quickly. However, it's important to carefully follow the advice of downtown Seattle dentist Dr. Hal Kussick to avoid any complications.

Tooth extractions are among the most significant advances in modern dentistry. Read on for more information about post-operative care and what you can eat after oral surgery at [email protected] General and Aesthetic Dentistry.

Why do I need wisdom tooth removal?

Wisdom tooth removal may be necessary if you experience discomfort or pain when the teeth at the back of your mouth erupt. That's because your other teeth are pushing against them or forcing them out of alignment. Wisdom teeth should be extracted before they lead to serious problems.

While some patients do not need their wisdom teeth removed, others may suffer from severe pain or other complications. A downtown Seattle dentist, like Dr. Hal Kussick, can examine the area, take x-rays, and make recommendations for treatment. Tooth extraction may be the best choice to alleviate existing issues.

What is recovery like after wisdom tooth removal?

Recovery from wisdom tooth removal varies based on whether you have a simple extraction (removing a tooth from above the gumline) or a surgical extraction (removing a tooth from below the gumline). However, the recovery process is generally the same for both types of procedures. You may feel some discomfort, redness, and swelling in the treatment area, but these side effects can be alleviated with pain relievers. We may also recommend a warm saltwater rinse to help speed up healing.

What should I eat after a tooth extraction?

[email protected] General and Aesthetic Dentistry will provide a set of guidelines and detailed instructions about what to eat after oral surgery. Patients should follow our advice to protect the healing area and prevent complications that will only extend their time in recovery.

Here are some ideas about what's safe to eat after wisdom tooth removal:

• Soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow

• Foods with smooth and moist textures (e.g., applesauce)

• Soups and broths (e.g., chicken broth)

• Yogurt and pudding

• Jell-O

• Ice pops

Patients can gradually move into solid foods after a few weeks. However, try not to switch to regular meals too soon after tooth extraction because you could damage the surgical site or get an infection.

What shouldn't I eat after wisdom tooth removal?

Until you meet with Dr. Kussick for a follow-up appointment, there are several kinds of foods that should be avoided after oral surgery. Here's a list of what to avoid:

• Raw fruits and vegetables

• Hard and crunchy foods (e.g., apples, pretzels)

• Chewy and sticky foods (e.g., taffy, caramels)

• Spicy or acidic foods (e.g., peppers)

• Foods that contain seeds or nuts (e.g., strawberries, trail mix)

• Any foods that can get stuck in the surgical site and disrupt healing

Have a safe recovery from wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom tooth removal is necessary, but recovery isn't always easy. Fortunately, you can return to your normal diet in just a few weeks. Downtown Seattle dentist Dr. Hal Kussick will provide a list of safe and unsafe foods as well as detailed instructions about post-operative care. Call our office to schedule an appointment at [email protected] General and Aesthetic Dentistry. Our goal is to provide Seattle-area patients with the best care possible.

Jun 01, 2020

A tooth extraction involves complete removal of a tooth from its socket, leaving behind a gap. There are several reasons as to why you may have your tooth/teeth extracted which range from tooth decay, to overcrowding or even having impacted wisdom teeth. Whatever the reason for undergoing the procedure is, it is important to have the right care instructions to avoid complication and promote quick healing.

A top concern for most people after having a tooth removed is what to eat and when. Usually, your dentist will provide you with instructions of what to do depending on the position where the tooth was extracted and the technique used in extraction. The set of instructions should take you through the next couple of days following treatment, until the time where you are healed enough to carry on with your regular life without any worries.

Days 1-3

Immediately after an extraction, and in the few days following, the primary focus is usually to allow a blood clot to form on the site of extraction. You should experience low to no bleeding in the first 24 hours but in case there is active bleeding, make sure to reach out to your dentist asap.

Depending on the intrusiveness of the procedure, you may be allowed to start on liquid foods a few hours after a tooth extraction. Foods like ice-cream, soups, pudding, yogurt and cereal are okay. Completely avoid using a straw as the suction it creates can dislodge the clot covering your wound, leading to pain and bleeding which further delays healing. Rinsing, swishing, gurgling and spitting should also be avoided for the same reasons.

If by the second day there is less tenderness on site of extraction, you can begin to incorporate solid foods that do not necessarily require a lot of chewing. Within this period, you should not consume alcohol or smoke.  Take any medications prescribed to you and have plenty of rest.

Days 3-10

By now a clot will have properly formed on the extraction site. Aftercare involves keeping the clot in place and preventing any infection to the area. You can now perform saline rinses to kill any bacteria in the mouth that may cause infections. You can now begin to brush and floss like usual but while paying extra attention not to disturb the extraction site. For the areas you cannot brush or floss, a mouthwash or saline solution will do for the meantime.

When it comes to your diet, you will continue eating soft foods that are less likely to be trapped in the empty tooth socket. You can now eat foods with a thicket consistency like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, avocadoes, bananas, hummus and even salmon.

2 Weeks Later

Two weeks after the procedure, most people feel well enough to go back to their normal diet. Provided there was no complication you can resume eating more solid foods. You can also resume activities like exercise and sports.  During your next dental appointment your dentist will also be able to start preparation to replace the extracted tooth/teeth.

Foods to Avoid

It is obvious that after a tooth extraction, whether simple or through surgery, you should avoid eating hard foods. But that is not all you should stay away from, spicy foods and foods that may get trapped on the empty socket can just be as bad. Spicy foods can cause pain and irritation while crunchy and crumbly foods or seeds and grains can get into the empty socket and disrupt the healing process. Foods that need a lot of chewing are also not goods as there is risk of biting yourself, especially when the anesthesia is yet to completely wear off. Lastly, alcohol and cigarette are a no-go to after any dental procedure.

At Starry Dental, our Westwood dentist uses a personalized approach for every patient to ensure a pleasant dental experience. We will only recommend a tooth extraction if it is the best chance you have at ensuring good dental health. The dentist and staff are friendly and gentle while providing effective and quality tooth extraction treatments.