Wisdom Teeth Aftercare & Diet Seattle, WA

a woman holding a cold compress to her cheek after wisdom tooth removalWisdom teeth removal is a routine surgery that alleviates problems such as impacted teeth and helps prevent future problems such as crowding and misalignment. If your dentist or oral surgeon suggests wisdom teeth removal, understanding what to expect during recovery is essential to successful healing.

Recovering from Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Most patients need two or three days of recovery after surgery, so expect to take a few days off work or school. During this time, rest is crucial. It is best to relax on the couch, watch TV, read, or play video games for the first few days. Do not exercise or perform strenuous activities and keep stress to a minimum. To reduce bleeding and swelling, elevate your head the first few days, including sleeping in a recliner or propped up on pillows.

Blood clots form on the incision sites after wisdom teeth removal. These protect you from dry socket and encourage healing. To make sure the clots stay in place, bit down on the gauze your surgeon puts in place for a few hours after surgery. When the bleeding has stopped, you can remove the gauze.

Wisdom Teeth Pain Control

Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication for the first few days. However, most patients can control their pain with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen. Ice packs applied during the first 36 hours post-surgery can reduce pain, swelling, and bruising.

After Wisdom Teeth Diet Tips Bellevue, Seattle, Federal Way, and Renton WA

Your diet is restricted following surgery, but getting plenty of nutrients and keeping your strength up during recovery is essential.

On the first day home, limit yourself to a liquid diet. Creamy soups, broth, tea, juices, smoothies, non-carbonated beverages, milkshakes, and liquid nutritional supplements will get you through the first 24 hours. Be sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

After the first 24 hours, you can graduate to a soft food diet, including:

A woman holding a bowl of oatmeal after wisdom tooth removal

  • Jell-O
  • Yogurt
  • Hummus
  • Ice cream
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Refried beans
  • Mashed bananas
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Pancakes
  • Soft-cooked pasta
  • Oatmeal
  • Delicate meats such as shredded chicken or ground beef

After three or four days, add steamed vegetables, bread, and other foods that can be easily chewed or mashed with a spoon. You can gradually start adding other items over the next week. Within a few weeks, you will return to your regular diet.

Do’s and Don’ts of Eating Post-Wisdom Teeth

  • Do drink lots of water.
  • Do avoid carbonated drinks.
  • Do drink nutritional supplements to augment your diet
  • Do not eat foods that are very hot or cold the first few days
  • Do not eat chewing, sticky, or crunchy foods the first few days (they could knock out the blood clot, leading to a painful dry socket)
  • Do not chew in the back of the mouth until the incision is healed.
  • Do not drink out of a straw. The suction can dislodge the blood clot.
  • Do not eat highly acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes) for the first few days.
  • Do not smoke or drink alcohol after wisdom teeth removal.

Please contact one of our offices in Bellevue, Seattle, Federal Way, or Renton if you have any questions about wisdom teeth aftercare.