Targeted Therapy on the Rise: Exploring Rivoceranib for Hepa..
4 Min Read
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to develop. They erupt during late teens or twenties. Although these teeth have a fancy name, they are well known for the dental problems they can cause. Since wisdom teeth are last to develop, they can get impacted, which means they are unable to erupt fully, become infected and may also damage neighboring teeth leading to dental troubles such as:
- Pain
- Acute gum infections
- Gum diseases
- Crowding of teeth
- Decayed tooth or caries
- Cyst or tumors at the site of impacted wisdom tooth
One or more of the above conditions is an indication for wisdom teeth removal. Since wisdom teeth do not have a significant role in chewing food, dentists generally recommend their removal to avoid dental problems in the future.
Wisdom teeth removal comes with its own share of anxieties and questions. The first and foremost question asked is regarding recovery and when solid food can be eaten after wisdom teeth removal.
When Can I Eat Solid Food After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Since wisdom tooth removal is a minor surgical procedure, it will take some time to heal completely. The area around the tooth that has been removed can be swollen and sore for at least a week after the procedure. Plenty of liquids are recommended to keep you well hydrated and also as it allows the mouth to be rinsed.
You can eat solid food at least 1-2 weeks after the date of wisdom tooth removal provided there is no local bleeding or irritation of surrounding gums. Avoid solid food that is hard to chew for at least 24-48 hours of wisdom tooth removal. Diet after wisdom tooth removal is started gradually from liquids to soft food and then solid food.
Special Care Needs To Be Taken For The First Two Days After Wisdom Teeth Removal Which Includes
- Control Bleeding – Bite down on gauze at the dressing site. Bleeding generally stops within an hour. Slight oozing may, however, be present for the next few days.
- Medications – Your dentist may prescribe a set of medications such as pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. It is important to take the medicines as advised.
- Manage Swelling – Apply ice pack externally to reduce the swelling. Avoid hot drinks as it can increase the swelling.
- Rest – It is advised to take ample rest for at least 2 days after the procedure to allow healing to take place.
Solid Foods To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Foods after wisdom teeth removal should preferably be soft so that they don’t irritate the affected area. Soft solid foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal can be the following:
Soups
Soup is the best source of nutrition being full of vitamins and nutrients and is yet easier to swallow and digest. Soups are also an excellent means to keep you hydrated. The only precaution to be taken when having soups is that it should be lukewarm and not hot. This is because hot drinks can further irritate the surgery area.
Broth
The broth is slightly different from soup since it’s only a stock made from meat or vegetables. Broths are rich in all the nutrients necessary for faster healing and recovery. Bone broth specifically is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Just like soups, broths also should be consumed when lukewarm and not hot to avoid irritating the wound.
Smoothies
Smoothies can be best adjusted to each patient’s personal food preference. Smoothies can be made out of fruits or vegetables depending entirely on what the patient desires to eat, yet are one of the best sources of energy and nutrition.
Yogurt
Yogurts are creamy in consistency and therefore soft to swallow and also have a soothing effect on the stomach in the presence of antibiotics and painkiller medications.
Mashed Foods
such as potatoes, pumpkin, bananas are high in carbohydrates and nutrients. These are some of the perfect solid foods to eat after wisdom tooth removal as they provide enough energy when food intake has been reduced.
Ice Creams
Since ice creams are cold they have a dual effect – they cause vasoconstriction and prevent swelling, soreness, and bleeding and they also have a soothing effect on the affected tooth.
Proteins
Proteins can be readily available through smoothies, scrambled eggs, fish or paneer (cottage cheese). Consuming a high protein diet is known to play an important role in enhancing wound healing.
Oats
Oats are highly nutritious, rich in fiber, easy to chew and can be cooked as per patient’s preference. Oats still require greater chewing efforts as compared to other foods and should be included in the diet at least 2-3 days after wisdom tooth removal.
Solid Foods Not To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Before knowing what foods are to be avoided after wisdom teeth removal, it is important to note that no food should be eaten while it is hot. Hot foods can irritate the area of extracted wisdom tooth and cause complications.
Solid foods that should be completely avoided after wisdom teeth removal are:
Crunchy Foods – Which require more chewing efforts and are also likely to injure the inner cheeks.
Grains and Seeds – Foods containing small grains or seeds are likely to get lodged in teeth and around the wound making cleaning difficult.
Alcohol – Alcohol can impede the healing process and also severely irritate the wound. Apart from this, alcohol may also interact with prescribed antibiotics or painkiller medications.
Spicy Food – Spices can irritate the site of wisdom tooth extraction.
Wisdom tooth removal and its recovery can have different effects on different persons. While some people recover completely within one week, some may take longer than 2 weeks. It is equally important to be mentally prepared for the pain and discomfort after the procedure – this will help you keep a positive outlook towards the entire procedure of extraction and recovery.
