After wisdom teeth removal, it is important to eat soft foods that require minimal chewing to avoid irritating the surgical sites. Here are some foods that can be eaten on the first day after surgery:
- Yogurt
- Apple sauce
- Smoothies
- Jelly
- Pudding
- Lukewarm soup
It is important to avoid anything that is overly hot in temperature, which can prolong swelling. Patients should also avoid drinking alcohol, soft drinks, and caffeinated beverages for at least the first five days after extraction, as these can disturb the teeth and mouth.
After the first 24 hours of recovery, patients can switch to a soft food diet that includes:
- Steamed (soft) vegetables
- Bananas
- Mashed potatoes
- Avocado
- Cottage cheese
- Soft bread (not crunchy)
- Oatmeal
- Pasta
- Noodles
- Beans
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Thinly sliced cheese
It is important to avoid using a straw or smoking for the duration of the recovery, as this can create a suction vacuum inside the mouth and risk dislodging the forming blood clot over the surgical sites.
Patients should continue to pay attention to any pain or discomfort when eating and try only to eat foods that are comfortable. It can still be dangerous to chew aggressively near the surgical sites, but everything will progressively return to normal, and after about two weeks, patients should be able to return to their normal diet.
