Your wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to develop. Because they can crowd the other teeth in your mouth, dentists often recommend the extraction of wisdom teeth, whether they are impacted or have erupted through the gum. You need to modify your diet for a short time following this procedure. Your dentist will provide you with instructions for the care your teeth and mouth immediately following the extraction. He will most likely suggest a liquid diet for the first 24 hours, then a soft diet for a few days. Certain foods may prolong bleeding or irritate the extraction site, so you should avoid them.
Immediately After Extraction
Following your tooth extraction, keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. It is especially important to drink fluids if your dentist has prescribed medication, so that you don't take it on an empty stomach. Good choices include water, milk shakes, protein shakes or juice; avoid hot beverages for the first 24 hours after surgery, as they can prolong bleeding. Do not drink with a straw, since the sucking action can dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site.
Soft Diet
As you feel able, begin adding soft foods, such as yogurt, pudding, gelatin, ice cream, oatmeal, broth, mashed potatoes, applesauce or other mashed fruit, to your diet. You can use a blender to liquefy regular meals, if desired. The live cultures in yogurt can be particularly effective in helping prevent stomach upset that sometimes occur from taking a prescribed oral antibiotic, suggests the Lynn Dental Care website.
Progressing to Regular Diet
As you gradually move from soft to semi-soft to regular food, eat slowly and carefully. Cut your food into small pieces and chew it first on the side not affected by extraction. As you begin chewing near the extraction site, do so very gently at first. Take care that forks and spoons do not touch the extraction site.
Foods To Avoid
For at least the first 24 hours, avoid any beverages containing carbonation, alcohol or caffeine. Until your mouth has completely healed, you should not eat hard or chewy foods like candy or sharp or crumbly foods like chips or crackers, or spicy foods or foods containing onions, tomatoes or peppers as any of these can potentially irritate or injure the extraction site.
Special Concerns
If you are diabetic, you need to be particularly careful to maintain a routine of regular food intake. Speak to your dentist about any concerns prior to surgery, and follow your doctor's orders as to your insulin schedule.
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