25 Foods To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Charlotte, NC
 Getting your wisdom teeth removed is no fun. Besides the pain and swelling, you may also be worried about eating. What exactly can you eat after wisdom teeth removal?
Bottom line: you should stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and high in nutrients. While soft foods have a reputation for being boring or bland, there are plenty of yummy options you can eat during recovery.
Eating the right foods in the first week after getting your wisdom teeth removed is vital. Doing so will reduce pain, minimize complications and speed up healing.
Let's go over 25 foods that you'll actually enjoy on the road to recovering from wisdom teeth removal.
What to Eat 1-2 Days After Surgery
Immediately after wisdom teeth removal, you should only drink liquids and eat soft food. Cold foods are particularly good for pain relief.
Generally speaking, it’s best to focus on nutrient-rich foods. Loading up on vitamins and minerals can help promote healing. Some examples of healthy, soft foods you can eat include:
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Smoothies |
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Blended soups |
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Yogurt |
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Applesauce |
These are just a few options, but basically, anything liquid or soft is ok. You can get more ideas in our long list below.
What to Eat 3-5 Days After Surgery
After two days, you can start introducing semi-soft foods. These include foods that don’t require much chewing but may not be 100% soft. You’ll still want to avoid anything chunky or crunchy.
Some good examples of semi-soft foods include:
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Scrambled eggs |
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Instant oatmeal |
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Soft sandwiches |
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Ramen noodles |
If you experience any pain with semi-soft foods, you should go back to eating soft foods. Over a week, you can start introducing solid foods as your level of comfort allows.
25 Foods To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
You may be surprised to learn there are dozens of foods you can eat after wisdom teeth removal. Here are our top 25 foods to eat that will help keep your energy up and taste good.
Breakfast & Snacks
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Smoothies: Smoothies are a great nutrient-rich option. Blend your favorite fruit with a dash of milk. You can even use honey, yogurt or cottage cheese to get extra flavor. |
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Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt has a smooth texture and is packed with protein. It's also cold, which can help alleviate pain. (Just add a dollop of honey for flavor.) |
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Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is another excellent source of protein. It goes great with smoothies or eggs. Try a delicious combo such as an avocado and cottage cheese omelet. |
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Scrambled eggs: Scrambled eggs are easy to chew and high in protein. Buying omega-3 enriched eggs can give you an extra nutritional boost, too. |
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Applesauce: If you're missing biting into an apple, try applesauce. It's got good vitamin C and can be chilled to help with any pain. (Add a dash of cinnamon to spice things up.) |
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Mashed banana: Bananas are packed with potassium and other vitamins. Mash them up in a bowl with a dollop of peanut butter for flavor. |
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Mashed avocado: Avocados are high in healthy fat and vitamin K. You can mash them up alone or with a piece of soft bread. |
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Blended seedless fruit: Any seedless fruit that you like including bananas, pineapple, watermelon, etc. can be peeled, blended and eaten as a sauce. |
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Hummus: Hummus is an excellent source of healthy fats. Of course, you'll want to avoid eating it with chips. Try it alone or with soft pita bread. |
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Instant oatmeal: Oats are fiber-rich and great for energy. Since they can be chewy, oats should be eaten 3-5 days after wisdom teeth removal. Add honey or yogurt for extra nutrition. |
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Toast: Soft toast that is slightly heated can also be eaten. Try adding a topping such as mashed bananas or avocado. |
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Coffee or tea: Caffeine addicts, don't fret. You can still have your morning cup. Just make sure it isn't too hot. Lukewarm is best to avoid pain. |
Lunch & Dinner
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Blended soups and broths: Soups and broths are the perfect options for staying hydrated and getting lots of nutrients during recovery. Some options include tomato, black bean, butternut squash, potato and leek, or lentils. Just make sure the soup is well-blended and not too hot. |
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Mashed potatoes: A classic dish that's recovery-friendly. They're high in calories and nutrients. Add shredded cheese or gravy for extra flavor. |
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Mashed squash or pumpkin: Squash and pumpkin are both high in nutrients and minerals. You can even mix and match them with mashed potatoes. |
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Blended vegetables: Basically you can blend any of your favorite vegetables for a veggie smoothie. Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale and zucchini are just a few great options. Add ginger or turmeric to jazz it up. |
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Mashed beans: Beans such as kidney, black, pinto, chickpea, etc. are high in protein, fiber and other nutrients. You can mash them up and add some spices for a delicious meal. |
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Ramen noodles: You can't go wrong with Ramen noodles. Though comforting, they aren't the healthiest option on this list. |
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Tuna: Tuna is packed with iron and potassium. It's also served cold, which is great for recovery. |
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Tofu: Tofu is another protein-rich option. Avoid adding anything spicy to it. |
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Soft butter rolls: Soft bread can help you get the calories you need. Try soft butter rolls that are easy to chew. |
Dessert
Nothing in the dessert category is particularly healthy. These foods shouldn’t be eaten more than once a day:
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Pudding |
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Jell-O |
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Mousse |
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Ice cream |
Eating after wisdom teeth removal requires some planning. However, with these 25 foods, you'll be on track to keep up your energy during the week after surgery.
 What Not to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Surgery
Wisdom teeth removal can make your mouth sensitive. To prevent pain and complications, you should steer clear of foods that could irritate your mouth. Key food groups to avoid include:
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Spicy foods |
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Acidic foods |
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Crunchy foods |
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Tough or chewy foods |
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Nuts, grains and seeds |
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Alcohol |
Some popular no-nos include chips, cookies, popcorn and pizza. You should also avoid using a straw, which could cause pain after wisdom teeth removal.
Final Takeaway
Recovery from wisdom teeth surgery can take up to a week. During this time, you can eat these 25 foods and speed up the post-operative recovery process.
When in doubt, opt for soft foods that are easy to chew. We also recommend making good use of your home blender. You can blend pretty much any fruit and veggies to get the nutrients and vitamins you need.
If you're experiencing pain or discomfort due to wisdom teeth, it's important to take action and seek professional dental care. Wisdom tooth removal is a common and safe procedure that can provide relief and prevent further dental problems. Contact Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery today to schedule your appointment! |
