When you or a family member has wisdom teeth removed, you probably wonder when you can eat your favorite foods again. Some restrictions apply to prevent potential complications, but in a few days, you will be able to return to your normal diet.

Continue reading our blog to find out when you can eat hard food after wisdom teeth removal and what can happen if you do not follow the post-surgery instructions from your dentist or oral surgeon.

Why Avoid Hard Foods After Wisdom Teeth Removal

After your wisdom teeth are removed, you have blood clots in the places where the teeth used to be—these clots are necessary for proper healing and recovery. If the clot is dislodged by a hard piece of food, you may end up with a painful condition called a dry socket—the absence of the clot exposes the nerves and leads to a severe toothache.

In addition, hard foods may get stuck in the socket and irritate the tissue. You may suffer from inflammation and swelling if you decide to ignore the recommendations of the healthcare provider and consume solid food before you are fully healed.

How Long Should You Not Eat Solid Food After a Tooth Extraction

On average, patients are advised to stay on a soft food diet for three to seven days after the surgery. In some cases, it is allowed to eat soft solids – for instance, mashed potatoes or noodles—on the second day after the teeth are removed.

Your oral surgeon will give you precise instructions that reflect your unique circumstances—listen to their guidance and stick to soft and liquid food at least for the first 24 hours after the extraction. If you resume eating hard food within a day after the surgery, you may struggle with pain and discomfort.

What Soft Foods to Eat After Dental Surgery

Fortunately, there are plenty of food options to choose from, even if you cannot eat the hard foods you are used to:

• Broths and soups. As long as the liquid is not hot, it will be safe to consume—add some vegetables to your soup and get the nutrients your body needs to recover.
• Dairy. Drink milk, include yogurt in your diet, and treat yourself to ice cream—cold food will have a soothing effect on the surgical area.
• Fruits and vegetables. While you will have to avoid raw fruits and vegetables for a few days, you can still eat bananas, avocados, and fruit puree.

Dangers of Eating Hard Foods Too Soon

If you start eating solid food a day or two after the surgery, you may deal with the following issues:

• Dry socket. As mentioned above, when the blood clot is dislodged, the socket is exposed to air and food particles, which leads to a severe toothache.
• Infection. It is much easier for the bacteria to enter the open wound and attack the tissue when there is no blood clot to protect the socket.
• Extended recovery. In case your diet is not adjusted to the surgical intervention, you may have to deal with pain and swelling for a long time.

Tips for Safe Return to Normal Diet

Follow these suggestions to accelerate your recovery after wisdom teeth removal:

• Listen to your dentist. A healthcare provider will give you personalized instructions to follow based on your needs. In case you were not given a list of foods to eat and avoid, ask the oral surgeon to provide you with this document.
• Stick to soft foods. For at least three days after the surgery, you should eat only soft and liquid food—water, juice, smoothies, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.
• Be gradual in your return to solids. Even when you decide you feel well enough to eat hard food, be careful—start with soft solids such as pasta or tofu and only add crunchy food to your diet when you are not feeling any discomfort.

FAQs

How long after wisdom teeth removal can I eat solid food?

It is recommended to avoid solid food for at least three days after the surgery—in most cases, patients can return to their normal diet within a week.

What happens if you eat hard food after a tooth extraction?

Eating hard food may lead to a painful condition called a dry socket—when the blood clot that protects the gums is dislodged, the nerves are exposed to the air and particles of food.

What foods are considered hard to eat after dental surgery?

You should stay away from nuts, chips, raw vegetables, crackers, and steak—these foods are considered hard and crunchy.

What to avoid after wisdom teeth removal?

In addition to avoiding solid food, you should not drink alcohol, use a straw, or smoke after the surgery—these habits may delay your recovery.

What soft foods to eat after wisdom teeth are removed?

There are many soft foods you can eat—soup, yogurt, ice cream, applesauce, pudding, smoothies, jelly, and mashed beans.

Get in Touch With Dental Professionals to Recover Your Diet

We hope that our guidelines were helpful—it is important to be careful with your diet after a tooth extraction to prevent complications and speed up recovery. If you need additional assistance, reach out to Newport Smile—our qualified specialists will be able to help you