Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure, often necessary to address impaction or incorrect growth angles. The recovery period following wisdom tooth extraction typically spans several weeks, and adhering to specific dietary guidelines is crucial for promoting healing and preventing complications. Eating soft and liquid foods helps wisdom tooth extraction sites heal. This article provides an in-depth guide to navigating the liquid diet phase after wisdom tooth extraction, offering advice on what to eat, what to avoid, and how to manage potential complications.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Extraction
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. In many cases, these teeth can become impacted or erupt at an angle, necessitating their removal. During the extraction procedure, anesthesia is administered, ranging from local to general, depending on the complexity of the case. The surgeon may need to make incisions and remove bone to access the tooth roots. Afterward, the site is cleaned, and stitches are placed to close the incision, followed by gauze to control bleeding.
The Importance of a Liquid Diet Post-Extraction
What you eat following your wisdom teeth removal is important. Immediately following your wisdom teeth removal and during recovery, you’ll want to start with liquid and soft foods. The initial days after surgery require a focus on liquid and soft foods to minimize discomfort and prevent disruption of the healing process. The mouth and gums are usually sensitive post-procedure. Eating soft and liquid foods helps wisdom tooth extraction sites heal. These foods require minimal or no chewing, reducing the risk of irritating the extraction site or dislodging the blood clot that forms in the socket. Other foods may cause irritation or get trapped in the area, leading to infection. Harder foods might damage, or get trapped in, the recovering area.
Recommended Liquid and Soft Foods
For the first 24 to 48 hours, eat only liquid and soft foods like yogurt, apple sauce, and ice cream. Cold foods may help with some of the discomfort.
Examples of liquid and soft foods include:
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- Apple sauce: A smooth and easily digestible option.
- Yogurt: Provides protein and probiotics, beneficial for gut health.
- Smoothies: A versatile way to incorporate fruits, vegetables, and protein. Nutrient-rich soups and smoothies can help promote healing.
- Broths and blended soups: Offer essential nutrients and hydration. Soups in particular can help balance out the other high-sugar options on the list.
- Mashed potatoes: A comforting and easily consumed source of carbohydrates.
- Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream: Cold, soothing options that can help relieve discomfort. Cold foods like Jell-O, smoothies, and ice cream may relieve some discomfort.
Transitioning to Semi-Solid Foods
As you start to heal, you can incorporate more normal foods. Start off easy with semisoft foods like scrambled eggs, instant oatmeal, and toast before moving to foods like chicken, fruits, and vegetables. As the recovery progresses, patients can begin to add semi-solid foods back into their diets, per their OMS’s recommendations. On the third day after surgery, try foods like eggs, toast, or oatmeal. Gradually continue to increase solid foods as chewing doesn’t cause any pain. If you experience pain when chewing, go back to soft and semisoft foods. Many people are able to resume normal eating within a week.
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods that you should avoid following your wisdom teeth removal. Stick to the foods listed above for the first few days. Certain foods can impede healing and increase the risk of complications and should be avoided for at least a week or more until the extraction site has healed:
- Acidic and spicy foods (including citrus juice): May cause irritation and pain.
- Alcoholic beverages: Can irritate the area and are likely to interact negatively with the pain medication prescribed by your doctor. Do not drink alcohol as this can have compounding effects with pain medicine and may alter the effects of other prescribed medications.
- Grains (including rice and quinoa) and any types of seeds: Can easily become trapped in the extraction site. Avoid popcorn and all seedy type food (e.g., raspberries) and any other food that may easily get caught in the extraction sites.
- Hard or difficult-to-chew foods (including nuts, chips, and jerky): Can reopen the stitches and delay healing. Avoid hard, crunchy foods such as chips, seeds, nuts, and popcorn until the wounds are healed. This may take up to 6 weeks. These foods are prone to stick in the wounds and may lead to infection.
You should also avoid smoking or using any type of tobacco for a minimum of 72 hours after surgery as it can severely increase the risk of complications. Don’t use chewing tobacco for at least a week.
Managing Potential Complications
Wisdom teeth removal complications aren’t common, but can occur. The most common complication is reopening of the extraction site, which delays healing. After extraction of teeth, a blood clot forms in the remaining socket. Being aware of potential complications and knowing how to address them is essential for a smooth recovery.
Dry Sockets
Dry socket is the premature breakdown of the blood clot. This typically occurs between the third and fifth day after surgery. They occur when the blood fails to clot in the tooth socket, or if the clot becomes dislodged. This typically happens between three and five days after tooth removal. It is more common in females. It is more common in patients that smoke or have medical conditions that affect healing. If you overexert yourself physically then you are more likely to get a dry socket. Symptoms that may indicate you have a dry socket are increased pain and a bad taste in your mouth. Typically, the pain radiates to your ear. Dry sockets can be treated by your surgeon. They will flush out debris and may cover the socket with medicated dressing.
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Symptoms of dry sockets include:
- an unpleasant taste or smell coming from the socket
- aching or throbbing pain in the gum or jaw (it may be intense)
- exposed bone
Infections
Infections can be caused by food particles or other bacteria becoming trapped in the socket where your wisdom teeth were removed. Bacteria can spread throughout the body and should be treated quickly. After surgical procedures, there is always a chance that infection might develop. This does not happen in most cases.
Symptoms of an infection include:
- blood or pus from the extraction site
- fevers
- spasms of the jaw muscles
- chills
- painful or swollen gums near the extraction area
- bad taste or smell in the mouth
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage from wisdom teeth removal is rare, but it can occur. During surgery, the trigeminal nerve may be injured. The injury is most often temporary, lasting several weeks or months. Nerve damage can be permanent if the injury is severe.
Symptoms of nerve damage caused by wisdom tooth removal include:
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- pain
- numbness or tingling in the gums, tongue, chin, surrounding teeth, and lower lips
Allergic Reaction
If you show signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention. You may be allergic to the medications your doctor prescribed, including your pain medication.
Signs of an allergic reaction include:
- shortness of breath
- difficulty breathing
- feeling like your throat is closing or your tongue is swelling
- lightheadedness
- rapid heartrate
- skin rash
- fever
Additional Post-operative Instructions
Following your surgeon's specific instructions is paramount for a successful recovery. Here are some general guidelines:
- Bleeding Control: After your teeth were removed, a gauze compress was placed on the wound and you were asked to keep your jaws closed firmly for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. You will likely need to replace the gauze every 30 to 45 minutes as needed to control bleeding. Please use gauze for several hours after surgery to ensure bleeding is controlled. If it appears the bleeding is not slowing or stopping, ensure the gauze is placed directly over the area of bleeding and firm, uninterrupted pressure should be maintained for at least 45 minutes. Additional measures could include utilizing a tea bag in the standard form. Place this over the extraction site and biting firmly as indicated above. The tannic acid in the tea will help with clotting. Do not use a straw or spit for 48 hours after surgery. This will encourage bleeding.
- Swelling Control: Swelling to some extent follows nearly every tooth extraction. This is nature's way of beginning the healing process. The swelling is often quite severe after the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. An ice pack applied intermittently for up to 48 hours may help to reduce the swelling. The swelling will usually reach a maximum in 36 to 48 hours. Facial swelling will slowly develop over the first 48-72 hours. Not much swelling will be evident on the first day. Swelling is always worse after sleeping. The peak swelling will be on the second or third day. The swelling will then slowly resolve. It usually lasts 5-7 days. Keep your head elevated (head above the heart) for the first 48 hours. Sleep with head elevated for the first 2 nights if possible. Use extra pillows or a recliner chair. Use ice early and often. Ice the face for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time and then take at least a 20-minute break before reapplying ice. Icing is most effective when done early after surgery. Its effectiveness decreases with time from surgery. Use ice up to 48 hours after surgery. The application of heat can be done with the small ice packs dispensed by the office (warming them in hot water or the microwave) or blue gel hot/cold packs. Apply heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, starting 2 DAYS after surgery. When the heat is in place, it is helpful to open and close the mouth and shift the jaw from side to side.
- Pain Control: You will be prescribed medications for pain relief by Dr. Rayher. Please have all of your prescriptions filled in advance and bring them to your surgical appointment. We will review them with you. Take your medication as directed. Please inform Dr. Rayher of all prescription and non-prescription medications that you take. Do not take any other prescribed or non-prescribed medications without discussing with Dr. Rayher. A certain amount of discomfort or pain is normal and should be relieved by the prescription medication. Take the ibuprofen within an hour of getting home from surgery. Take all medications with food to avoid stomach upset or nausea. It is recommended for the first 2 nights to keep your pain medication at your bedside and set an alarm for a DOSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (4-6 hours from the last dose).
- Oral Hygiene: DO NOT rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, rinse gently with the oral rinse, if prescribed by your doctor, or with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) 2-3 times a day for 1 week. As soon as possible, brush your teeth gently. Brush on the tops of teeth only as you near the surgical sites with your toothbrush. Continue to brush your teeth and keep your mouth as clean as possible. A prescription-strength mouth rinse has been prescribed. The day after surgery, if the bleeding has stopped, begin warm saltwater rinses (use only 1/2 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water). At a minimum, rinse after every time you eat or drink anything that is not water and at bedtime. You may also rinse between meals if desired. If salt water is not available, use plain tap water. Continue rinsing until the wounds are healed. This may take up to 6 weeks. Resume tooth brushing with toothpaste the day after surgery. Common sense dictates to use care when brushing near the wounds for the first 2-3 days. Resume flossing the day after surgery as you are able. Do not use commercial mouth rinses such as Listerine or Scope for the first 2 weeks. If you had lower wisdom teeth removed, you will usually be given a plastic irrigation syringe and shown how to use it at your post-operative visit. If you were given a syringe before your post-operative appointment, you can begin use of the syringe on the third day after surgery. Fill the syringe with salt water or plain water, whichever you prefer. Insert the plastic tip of the syringe into the lower extraction sites and gently rinse. Repeat until the water comes out clean and clear. It is not unusual for some bleeding to occur after rinsing with the syringe. It will quickly stop. Do this on the lower extraction sites after every meal and at bedtime. Continue to rinse with the syringe until the wounds have healed. This may take up to 6 weeks.
- Activity: No activity that increases your heart rate should be performed for the first 5 days following surgery. Avoid over-exerting yourself. Use common sense in resuming your normal activities. If you had IV anesthesia, go home and stay there for the remainder of the day. IV anesthesia may cause prolonged drowsiness. You should not operate an automobile or any other equipment or machinery, nor should you plan to be responsible for children or make important personal or business decisions. Be careful not to sit or stand quickly as this may produce dizziness and cause a fall. Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first 2 days. Most people can return to work or school in approximately 3 days. Some will take longer. Swelling may take 1 week to resolve. Possible complications may prolong the recovery. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least one week, longer if you are still having pain or your jaw is stiff. Do not swim for 2 weeks.
- Sutures: Your stitches have been placed to control bleeding and encourage healing. Sutures are often placed to aid in wound healing. The sutures appear as small yellowish-white knotted string near the areas where the teeth were removed. Although you may feel them with your tongue, it is best to leave them alone. The sutures are self-dissolving and will come loose and fall out. The time varies from person to person. Typically sutures last from 2-10 days. Do not be worried when the sutures come loose or fall out. Rarely, sutures do not fall out and need to be removed. Please contact the office if sutures persist for longer than 2 weeks.
- Medications: Prescriptions should be taken as directed. They are prescribed to provide pain control. As healing occurs the pain will decrease. Women taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills) are recommended to use other methods of contraception while taking antibiotics.