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Wisdom teeth or third molars come in in your late teens or early 20s and grow behind the second molars. In all, most people develop four wisdom teeth. Because we don’t necessarily need them, many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed. Otherwise, they may become infected, start to crowd your other teeth, or cause tooth decay due to the difficulty of cleaning them.

To avoid these issues, most people opt to get their wisdom teeth removed, often by an oral surgeon, if complications occur. At NextGen OMS, we provide a consultation so that you can learn more about the procedure and how to prepare for it. Following wisdom teeth removal in McKinney, TX, your mouth is likely to remain sore for a few days to a week. It’s difficult to know what to eat so that you get the proper nutrition without aggravating your sore mouth.

The foods chosen below help you receive proper nourishment and promote wound healing. We also provide a list of foods to avoid so that you won’t aggravate the wound or delay the healing process.

Foods to Eat Within 48 Hours of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Following your surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, eat soft food and drink plenty of liquids. We highly recommend cold foods that can also help relieve pain. Nutrient-rich foods that help you load up on vitamins and minerals include the following:

• Smoothies
• Yogurt
• Blended soups
• Applesauce

How About 3-5 Days After Surgery?

Everybody heals at its own rate. However, most people can begin introducing semi-soft foods within the first three to five days. These foods don’t include anything crunchy or chunky. Examples include soft sandwiches, instant oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and ramen noodles. If you find it painful to eat these foods, go back to liquids and very soft foods for another day or two.

Awesome Soft Foods for Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery

Try the following foods to vary your diet and maximize your nutrition intake following wisdom tooth removal.

Blended Soups

You can try blended soups such as pumpkin, butternut squash, or tomato soup. Avoid any soups that contain chunks of food that can get caught in the surgical area. Soups generally provide plenty of minerals and nutrients and can help you stay hydrated, especially if you find it difficult to swallow.

Chicken, beef, and other broth also contain vitamins and minerals and help you stay hydrated. It’s important to eat your broth or soup lukewarm as hot liquid can irritate the wound.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is high in protein. It’s a great food to eat following a wisdom teeth removal due to its creamy texture and cold temperature, which can soothe your sore mouth. Greek yogurt has vitamins, calcium, zinc, and protein.

Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes and other root vegetables are rich in nutrients and calories. This is a great food to eat when you can’t chew very well. Following wisdom teeth removal, mashed potatoes let you cram in lots of nutrients and energy with just a couple of bites.

Mashed Bananas

Bananas are often considered a superfood and are popular throughout the world. Their soft texture makes it easy to swallow them following dental surgery. After wisdom tooth removal, mashed bananas provide an easy way to get nutrients such as vitamin B6, potassium, manganese, and folate.

Avocadoes

Pureed or mashed avocados taste great and provide high-energy carbs when you need them most. Avocados also have healthy fats. The smooth creamy texture makes avocadoes easy to eat raw when you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like cooking. They are a great food choice after wisdom teeth removal.

Smoothies

You can make practically any fruit or vegetable into a delicious smoothie that gives you a complete meal without chewing a single bite. Because they are so versatile and easy to consume, we highly recommend smoothies. Simply add ingredients to suit your taste and nutrition goals.

Smoothies that include Greek yogurt, a scoop of protein, or other nutrition-boosting items hope you get the best bang for your buck so that you can concentrate on healing and getting back into the swing of things at work or school.

Hummus

Although it started out as a Middle Eastern cuisine, hummus has become a beloved dip worldwide. It’s a great source of vitamins, healthy fats, and protein. Hummus makes a terrific food choice for those recovering from wisdom teeth removal. It’s easy to buy from most supermarkets but you can also make your own hummus by blending olive oil, chickpeas, lemon, tahini, and garlic in a food processor.

Cottage Cheese

Low-calorie cottage cheese has plenty of vitamins and minerals, and it’s soft and creamy, making it easy to chew and swallow. you may want to wait a few days after your surgery to eat cottage cheese as it has chunks that can stick between your teeth and in the healing wound.

Salmon

Once you are ready to begin eating semi-soft foods, salmon is a great choice to add to your diet. It’s soft, easy to chew, and has omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and promote wound healing.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid spicy foods that can cause irritation and pain following wisdom teeth removal. Here are some other foods that you should avoid:

• Crunchy like chips or cookies
• Most grains and seeds
• Chewy foods
• Alcohol

Wisdom Teeth Removal in McKinney, TX

If you have any questions about wisdom tooth removal in McKinney, TX, contact NextGen OMS today to set up a consultation.