Have you ever wondered what to eat after your wisdom tooth removal? You might be feeling anxious about the recovery process and the potential complications. You might also be wondering how to nourish your body and ease your pain without harming your healing gums. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll guide you through the best and worst foods to eat after tooth extraction. We’ll also tell you how long to follow the diet and what to do to make your recovery smoother and faster.
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Understanding Wisdom Tooth Removal and Recovery
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that usually emerge in your mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people may not have any wisdom teeth, while others may have one to four.
Wisdom tooth removal or extraction, is a dental surgery that involves removing your wisdom tooth if it causes problems with your oral health. Some of the reasons why you may need to have your wisdom tooth removed are:
- Your wisdom tooth doesn’t have enough room to grow normally or it grows at an angle that affects your other teeth.
- Your wisdom tooth only breaks through the gum partially and leaves an opening for bacteria to invade and cause infection as they are hard to reach and clean, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, or damage to nearby teeth.
Wisdom tooth removal is usually performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon under local sedation or general anaesthesia. The procedure may take about an hour, depending on the position of your wisdom tooth.
Wisdom tooth removal recovery can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- If the area where the tooth was extracted is difficult to reach, it may take longer to heal.
- The type of anaesthesia you receive may affect how quickly you regain feeling in your mouth and how soon you can resume normal activities.
- Younger people tend to heal faster than older people, as their bone is more flexible and elastic, making it easier to extract the tooth and reducing the risk of bone fracture and nerve injury.
- Some people may feel more pain or discomfort than others after surgery and may need more medication or time to recover.
- If you experience any problems such as severe pain, excessive bleeding, dry socket, nerve damage, or infection, your recovery may take longer and require more medical attention.
Immediate Post-Extraction Diet
One of the most important aspects of wisdom tooth removal recovery is your diet. What you eat and drink in the first 24 hours after your surgery can make a big difference in how quickly and smoothly you heal.
The main goal of your diet in the immediate post-extraction period is to avoid any foods that could irritate, infect, or dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket where your tooth was removed. This blood clot is essential for the healing process, as it protects the underlying bone and nerves from exposure and infection.
You should only consume soft and easily consumable foods that require little or no chewing, such as:
- Smoothies and blended soups: These are great options to get some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables without risking any bits getting stuck in the wound.
- Mashed potatoes and pureed vegetables: These are another way to get some carbohydrates and fibre from starchy foods without hurting your gums. You can mash or puree potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, or any other cooked vegetable with some butter, milk, cheese, or broth to make them more flavourful and moist.
- Yoghurt and pudding: These are easy to eat and digest foods that can provide you with some calcium and protein for your bones and muscles. You can choose plain or flavoured yoghurt or pudding.
- Broths and warm beverages: These are important to keep you hydrated and nourished after your surgery. You can drink chicken, beef, or vegetable broth that is rich in sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes that help balance your fluids and prevent dehydration. You can also drink water, juice, milk, tea, or coffee as long as they are not too hot or cold.
Nutrition to Add to Your Diet Post Tooth Extraction
After tooth extraction, your body needs certain nutrients to help repair the wound and prevent infection. Some of the most important nutrients for wound healing are:
1. Protein
Protein is essential for building new tissue and repairing damaged tissue. It also helps with immune function and blood clotting. You should aim to get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day after surgery.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis, which is the main protein that forms the structure of your skin and gums. It also helps with wound healing, immune function, and antioxidant defence. You should get at least 90 milligrams of vitamin C per day for men and 75 milligrams for women after surgery.
3. Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that plays a role in wound healing, immune function, and inflammation regulation. It also helps with taste and appetite, which may be affected by surgery. You should get at least 11 milligrams of zinc per day for men and 8 milligrams for women after surgery.
4. Iron
Iron is a mineral that helps carry oxygen to your tissues and cells, which is vital for wound healing. It also helps with immune function and infection prevention. You should get at least 8 milligrams of iron per day for men and 18 milligrams for women after surgery.
Anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce inflammation and promote healing by modulating your immune system and inhibiting inflammatory pathways.
Foods to Promote Healing and Reduce Inflammation
Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods to eat after tooth extraction are:
1. Fresh Fruits
Fruits are rich in antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals and protect your cells from oxidative stress. They also contain phytochemicals that can modulate inflammatory responses.
2. Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, arugula, and lettuce, as well as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy, are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibre that can help lower inflammation.
3. Foods High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have anti-inflammatory effects. They can reduce the production of inflammatory molecules called cytokines and prostaglandins, as well as increase the production of anti-inflammatory molecules called resolvins and protectins.
Avoiding Irritants and Complications
While eating the right foods can help you heal faster and prevent complications after tooth extraction, eating the wrong foods can do the opposite. Some foods can irritate, infect, or dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket where your tooth was removed. This can cause pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, or dry socket, which is a condition where the bone and nerves are exposed to air and bacteria.
To avoid these complications, you should steer clear of certain foods during the recovery period, such as:
- Crunchy and hard foods: These foods can damage the stitches, dislodge the blood clot, or get stuck in the wound.
- Spicy or acidic foods: These foods can irritate the wound or cause inflammation.
- Foods with small particles that can get stuck: These foods can interfere with the healing process or cause infection.
If you eat any of these foods by mistake or accidentally dislodge the blood clot from the socket, you may experience some potential complications, such as:
- Severe or persistent pain that doesn’t improve with medication
- Excessive bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure
- Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
- Bad breath, foul taste, pus, or redness around the wound
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your lips, chin, or tongue
By avoiding these irritants and complications after wisdom tooth extraction, you can ensure a smooth and speedy recovery.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth removal can affect your diet and nutrition. You need to eat soft and liquid foods that can be easily consumed and are rich in nutrients. This can help you avoid complications, reduce pain and swelling, and heal faster. You also need to avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, spicy, acidic, or have small bits. You should not drink alcohol or use a straw.
Your dentist or oral surgeon can advise you on the best foods and supplements for you. By following these dietary tips, you can speed up your wisdom tooth removal recovery and improve your oral health and well-being.
