By kkhealthcarecentre 
Thinking about getting your wisdom teeth out? Curious about what you can eat afterward?
I know wisdom teeth can be a real pain, especially when they come in crooked. Fortunately, getting them removed is one of the easier surgeries out there. You won’t feel anything when the dentist removes the tooth from your gums. The whole procedure typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes, and you’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. You’ll be awake but won’t feel any pain.
Can you eat right after having your wisdom teeth taken out? If not, when can you start eating normally again?
The experts at the University of Washington’s School of Dentistry suggest taking it easy for a couple of days after the procedure. This helps speed up recovery and reduces the typical swelling after oral surgery, which usually peaks after 2-3 days before subsiding. During this time, you’ll likely be on strong painkillers, so pain should be minimal. Avoid solid foods that require chewing or too much effort.
For the first two days, stick to liquids and soft foods. Don’t use a straw or smoke, as this creates pressure in your mouth. Once three days have passed, you can start eating soft foods, but steer clear of anything spicy or acidic until you’re fully healed, which takes about a week.
Wondering what to eat in those first two days?
1. Milkshakes: These are creamy, nutritious, and easy to drink. Just be sure to avoid using a straw.
2. Cooked Cereals: Options like quinoa, oats, and wheat are great. Avoid packaged cereals as they might have hard bits that could irritate your stitches.
3. Cottage Cheese: Packed with nutrients and protein, it’s a good addition to smoothies and juices.
4. Eggnog: A comforting drink, you can have it with or without alcohol depending on your preference.
What to eat between the 3rd and 7th days?
1. Macaroni and Cheese: Soft and comforting, it’s an excellent semi-solid food to start incorporating into your diet.
2. Cooked Noodles: There are various noodles available, and they can be an easy and gentle option for your gums.
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches: Simple and quick to make, you can add some strawberries instead of jelly for variety.
4. Soft-Boiled or Scrambled Eggs: Eggs are nutritious and can be prepared in a way that’s easy to eat without much chewing.
In conclusion, hopefully, this gives you some useful ideas about what to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. For more detailed guidance, you can check out the Patient Education sheet from the School of Dentistry.