
When Can I Eat Pizza After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
April 3, 2025
When Can I Eat Spicy Food after Wisdom Teeth Removal?
April 10, 2025You’ll probably feel sore and tired if you just had your wisdom teeth removed! You’re probably wondering one very important thing: “What can I eat after wisdom teeth removal?”
That’s a great question. Right after surgery, your mouth is healing. And the food and drinks you choose can either help that healing or make things worse. You might feel hungry, but chewing hard foods can hurt or cause problems.
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ToggleFoods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
As mentioned, your mouth will be sore and swollen right after surgery. You want to eat foods that are soft, smooth, and easy to swallow. Let’s see what to eat after wisdom teeth removal Phoenix:
Best Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Blended Soup: Soup is warm, filling, and easy to eat with a spoon. Make sure it’s not too hot. Do not add chunks or spicy stuff to it.
- Broth: It’s a little lighter than soup but still full of good nutrients. Chicken or veggie broth can help you stay hydrated.
- Greek Yogurt: Cool, smooth, and full of protein. It’s soft and easy to eat. Pick a plain kind without seeds or fruit pieces.
- Mashed Potatoes: Soft, warm, and comforting. You don’t even need to chew!
- Scrambled Eggs: Eggs are packed with protein. Scrambled ones are fluffy and gentle on your mouth. Remember not to overcook them.
- Applesauce: Sweet, smooth, and easy to eat. Applesauce gives you some fruit without needing to chew.
- Mashed Bananas: You can mash them with a fork. They’re soft, sweet, and give your body energy.
- Smoothies (no seeds): Smoothies can be a great way to get fruit, protein, and even veggies. You better skip the seeds and don’t use a straw.
- Hummus: It is creamy and packed with protein. You can eat it by itself or with a soft food like pita.
- Cottage Cheese: It’s soft and full of calcium and protein. Easy to eat and doesn’t need chewing.
- Oatmeal (instant): Let it cool down before eating. Choose the smooth kind, not the chunky or nut-filled ones.
- Mashed Pumpkin or Squash: Soft, sweet, and easy on your mouth. Also gives your body vitamins to help it heal.
- Baked or Soft Salmon: If you feel ready for some soft meat, salmon is a great start. It flakes apart and is gentle to chew.
Drinks You Can Have
- Water: It’s your #1 drink. It helps your body stay hydrated and heal faster.
- Milk: It’s gentle and full of calcium. You can even mix it into smoothies or oatmeal.
- Lukewarm Herbal Tea: It’s soothing and relaxing. Not hot! Try chamomile or peppermint.
- Juice (not citrus): Apple or pear juice is good. Stay away from oranges or lemonade; they can sting.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can I Eat?
Let’s talk about when to eat after wisdom teeth removal and what’s best during each time period:
First Few Hours
Don’t eat right away. Your mouth is still numb, and you could bite your tongue or cheek. Wait until the feeling comes back.
First 24 Hours
Stick with liquids and very soft foods like broth, soup, yogurt, or smoothies. No straws. No chewing.
Days 2–3
Try foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, or scrambled eggs. Still soft, but you can add more flavor and texture.
Days 4–7
If you feel better, you can start eating semi-soft foods like soft pasta, soft-cooked rice, or small pieces of soft bread. Take small bites and chew gently.
Week 2 and Beyond
Slowly return to normal foods. Try things like chicken, cooked veggies, and soft sandwiches. Avoid anything crunchy until you’re fully healed.
One Month
You can start eating solid food normally. Go back to your regular diet—unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
Foods to Avoid after Wisdom Teeth Removal
Some foods can hurt your healing mouth or cause problems like infection after your wisdom teeth extraction Phoenix. Avoid these:
Category | Examples | Reason |
Hard or Crunchy Foods | Chips, nuts, popcorn, raw veggies | Can poke your gums or get stuck in the wound |
Sticky Foods | Caramel, gum, chewy candy | Can pull on the healing area and loosen stitches |
Spicy Foods | Hot sauce, spicy meals | Can sting or cause swelling in the sore area |
Acidic Foods and Drinks | Orange juice, lemonade, tomatoes | Too harsh for healing tissue and may cause irritation |
Seeds and Grains | Rice, chia seeds, sesame | Can get trapped in the socket and lead to infection |
Alcohol | Wine, beer, liquor | Slows down healing and interferes with pain medication |
Why Is It Important to Eat Well after Wisdom Teeth Removal?
You need to eat after wisdom teeth removal. Your body needs fuel to heal. After surgery, you might not feel like eating much, but the right foods can make a big difference. Eating the dentist-recommended food gives your body the vitamins, protein, and hydration it needs to fix the tissue and reduce swelling. Eating soft, healthy foods helps you feel stronger, speeds up healing, and keeps your energy up.
What Habits to Avoid after Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
Here’s a simple table of things you should not do:
Habit | Why to Avoid It |
Using a straw | Can suck out the blood clot (leads to a dry socket) |
Smoking or vaping | Slows healing and can cause infection |
Drinking alcohol | Interferes with meds and slows healing |
Eating hard/crunchy foods | Can hurt the wound and delay healing |
Brushing too hard | Can damage the healing area |
Touching the wound | Increases the chance of infection |
Rinsing too soon or hard | Can wash away the blood clot |
When Can I Eat Normal after Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Most people can start eating normal food around week 2. But it really depends on how you’re healing. If your mouth still feels sore or swollen, take it slow. Try soft versions of your usual meals first, and skip crunchy or chewy foods until you’re fully comfortable. Always follow your dentist’s advice—and if you’re unsure, give us a call.
Wisdom Teeth Removal and Food Consultation in Phoenix, Arizona
At Central Valley Dentistry, we perform excellent wisdom teeth extractions and also a complete consultation on what to eat after wisdom teeth removal. In a nutshell, we make sure your recovery goes smoothly from start to finish.
Need a tooth extraction Phoenix or recovery advice? Call us or book your appointment online with us.
Eating and Drinking After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Let’s Recap
You can eat after wisdom teeth removal! But you should start with soft, easy foods like mashed potatoes, soup, and yogurt. Skip anything crunchy, sticky, or spicy for now. Drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible.
Listen to your mouth, follow your dentist’s instructions, and take your time. You’ll be back to eating your favorite foods before you know it—and you’ll heal faster if you take care now.
FAQs about What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, applesauce, and scrambled eggs.
You can, if it’s soft and plain. Avoid nuts, candy, or crunchy mix-ins.
Not in the first few days—grains can get stuck in the wound. Try later in week 2.
Wait at least 2 weeks or until your dentist says it’s okay. Pizza is too chewy early on.