What to eat after Wisdom Tooth Extraction

United States
December 14, 2012 9:20am CST
I just got all four wisdom teeth taken out this morning and it is a strange feeling. Since I had to undergo a general anesthesia, I haven't eaten anything for18 hours and I am starting to feel hungry! However, even though I am hungry, putting more stuff in my mouth doesn't sound nice. There is lots of gauze b/c of the bleeding. I know they told me I can have applesauce and warm soup, but that just doesn't sound appealing. Do you have any ideas? Have you ever had all four wisdom teeth taken out? What was your recovery experience?
2 people like this
11 responses
@czhey21 (55)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
It is recommended to stay away from solid foods such as meats or anything crunchy, like potato chips, pretzels and nuts. Or depending on your oral surgeon's advice.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Dec 12
I don't think I'll be having anything like this for a while since I have to wait for the stitches on both sides to heal!
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
14 Dec 12
Anything that's mashed or pureed is ideal after a wisdom tooth extraction. Your gums are still swollen. Well, actually, the wound is just healing so you need to avoid food or drinks that contain portions that you need to chew. You have to have food that you could just swallow. Ice cream also helps lessen in the swelling of the gums. But again, this shouldn't contain anything that you would have to chew. (nuts, chips and the like).
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Dec 12
Oooh ice cream is a great idea! Maybe the cold will help keep my mouth numb! What a great excuse :)
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
15 Dec 12
You can also have lots of icecream. Icecream will give you some protein. Besides being yummy, the cold of the icecream will help the blood clog. Do you find this appealing?
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
15 Dec 12
Actually it`s a witch doctor`s recipe. No guilt attached, please. It`s an order. And if you think about it, it`s just plain common sense. You apply ice to any wound for antiimflamatory purposes.
• United States
15 Dec 12
I love this idea! Eating ice cream guilt free? Yes, please!
• Japan
14 Dec 12
Tooth extraction - Tooth extraction is painful
I just my wisdom tooth extracted too just make sure you don't sip from the straw so you don't case dry socket which is deadly painful. I ate ice cream when I notice that its not bleeding that much and it mAde heal quick. I ate some oatmeal and mash potato too and just avoid hard food you don't want to have piece of food on where you had extracted which can cause to infection too. Also, rinse it with Luke warm water with sea salt to stop the bleeding?? take care of that cause you never wnt to have dry socket. Don't smoke too if you do smoke.
• Japan
15 Dec 12
You're always welcome an hope your tooth will heal fast like mine. I used to smoke before and it is difficult not to smoke but I manage just not to have dry socket haha..
• United States
14 Dec 12
Oatmeal and mashed potatoes is a good idea. I will have to try that next. I hope I never have dry socket! Not smoking is easy for me, I hate even being around it! Thanks for your advice!
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
15 Dec 12
You had general anesthesia just for extracting your wisdom teeth? And why did the dentist took all four at the same time? That would be difficult for you to eat coz you can not be able to chew anything at that rate. I also had my wisdom teeth extracted, but my dentist took out my right upper and lower wisdom tooth in one sitting then the other two was extracted after a month. We were also taught in school that if there are even decayed teeth that needs extraction which happens to be on both side of the mouth, the dentist should only do one side then allow it to heal before doing the other side. Anyway, what's done is done, so I suggest that you just take congee for a few days. That would be easier for your to swallow. No pressure in chewing needed. Also, you must gargle with cold water if there is still blood coming from the wound. Make sure too that you gargle with an antiseptic to get rid of the odor left by the blood.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
15 Dec 12
It is rice porridge usually with bits of chicken. You can check out this link so that you can ask someone to cook it for you. Although you can also buy this from your local Chinese Restaurants. http://www.food.com/recipe-finder/all/congee
• United States
15 Dec 12
Since they were all going out at the same time and two were kind of complicated to take out, I decided to just go under (especially after I learned that my insurance would be able to cover most of the cost). I am really glad that I wasn't awake for that. Also, I am leaving the country soon and it was better to have everything done now to get it over with. Even though recovery is kind of annoying, scheduling it only once is not so bad. The oral surgeon didn't express any concern about taking out all four at once, and he has done it many times. What's congee?
@pomwango (1353)
• Kenya
14 Dec 12
i have had mine extracted but never at the same time so it was easier.i was able to chew after three hours on the other side ,try gurgle slowly to rid your mouth of the bloody taste then try something light.am so sorry i hope its also not painful.but a gauze 18 hours later also seems a long time ,i think i did maximum an hour.maybe you need to ask your dentist if whats going on is in order.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Dec 12
Well since I had them all removed, I am only able to chew in the front of my mouth as there are stitches on both sides. I haven't eaten for over 18 hours because of the fasting requirement for general anesthesia. Thanks for sharing your story! It's nice to find friends on here who have had similar experiences!
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 12
Teeth...:) - Teeth are vital for a dazzling smile, but are of course more than merely cosmetic. We need them, and sadly things can go wrong with them.
All four at once, no, but two years back, I had two teeth removed one of which was a wisdom tooth. I've had five teeth removed in total. Having teeth removed is not pleasant, so I feel for you. I was given a piece of gauze (or cotton wool I can't remember) until the bleeding stopped, which did so quite soon as I recall. But then, I only had one wisdom tooth removed, and it was on local anaesthetic; so I'm really not sure what I'm talking about: but if the bleeding goes on an unnaturally long time, I'd say contact your dentist. I'd say it's important to keep your mouth as germ-free as possible through frequent gargling of hot salty water (as directed), which helps with the healing process; and don't smoke if you're a smoker. If there's pain, pain killers are a good idea, but be certain to read the leaflet carefully; and on no account take too many. Some years back following an extraction, I took too many pain killers by accident, and felt perfectly dreadful for a time; furthermore, it frightened me off painkillers, so I had to undergo the healing process without them. And as if to make matters worse, somehow during the extraction, I'd cut my hand, and that became infected. It was not a good period for me! So, be very careful with medication would be my advice. However, once the painkillers kick in, you should find food less daunting: eat well, because you need all your strength to heal: start with soft food; that is a must I'd say. I can't remember how long it took me to recover 2 years ago, and of course, I only had 2 teeth removed. But I'd say it varies from person to person, and I'm no longer all that young. But I believe it's only a few days if you're healthy. For me it took a bit longer than that; but then as I say I'm not as young as I was. I wish you luck...as I say...tooth extractions are not a lot of fun.
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 12
Yes, I've had my fair share :) I agree, best to keep all possibilities of infection to a minimum. You'll heal before long I'm sure :)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems like you have had a lot! I have taken a few painkillers so far but have also had my fair share of applesauce! I was going to go with having 2 out now and 2 out later so that it'd be less expensive, but I ended up finding a surgeon who could do it all at once and still get mostly covered by my insurance. I'll try gargling now. I did it a few times but you are right, it is important and I don't want to risk any infection! It's just funny how weird everything feels. I can't open my mouth very wide and some of it just feels numb (probably a good thing)
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
14 Dec 12
i wouldn't eat too much today. maybe some soup or some jello (not too cold nor too hot) but in the next few days you can have ice cream and other soft foods. i didn't have my wisdom teeth out but i had all 4 back teeth out so my wisdom teeth could grow in, so i know what you are going through.
• United States
14 Dec 12
Wow, all four back teeth out? I haven't heard of that. It's weird to try to eat with only the front of your mouth! My dad gave me an orange and I tried chewing a little bit with my front teeth but it was almost impossible. I gave up after three slices! He's getting some ice cream for me now :)
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
14 Dec 12
I am reliving your pain..EW! Four years ago, I had all my lower teeth removed, due to mucousal cancer, so I have a idea your discomfort! I lived for about 10 DAYS on broths and smoothies! Do you have a blender so that you can make nutritious smoothies...there are hundreds of recipes on line, or you can take canned soups and puree them! It seems awful, but you must consume some good nutritious foods to help speed up your healing process! I love home-made soups of any form...so it was easier for me! Sure hope that you are recovered in time to enjoy the festive season's offerings!
• United States
14 Dec 12
Oh wow I am now thinking of your pain and discomfort which was much more than mine! 10 days on broths and smoothies is a long time! I mean, I have heard of some guy traveling around for a month on juices, but that was more of a health thing. I am staying with family who has a blender, so I might try that. It would be good to have variety! Thanks for sharing your experience! I will start cooking once I get out of this vegetative state--I am pretty doped up on medication right now!
@lifes97 (884)
• United Arab Emirates
15 Dec 12
hi , with that issue eat anyhting soft or liquid at first then you can eat anything if you feel that you can. If also you did that long time then you can eat now, you do not have to wait days.
• Indonesia
15 Dec 12
When I lost my molar I did not know how and what to eat. Was confused because I was very hungry but bit hard to chew. I tried to eat cream soup, but not enough. Finally, I bought potato cakes and ramen noodles. At least it does not require molar to finish a bowl of ramen noodles