One of the most common questions we are asked before and after wisdom teeth removal by our patients is: What foods can I eat?
Eating the right food isn’t just a matter of protecting the stitches in your mouth or making sure you are not causing yourself any pain; it is also a matter of eating foods that can help speed up the healing process.
Socrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine,” and that couldn’t be any truer in this situation. Certain foods can help minimize bleeding and reduce recovery time, while other foods can lengthen the healing process, cause pain, and increase bleeding at the surgical site.
Foods to stay away from and why:
- Spicy or hot foods– These kinds of foods promote bleeding, so we advise you to stay away from spicy or hot foods for the first few days
- Seeds– These can get stuck in the surgical site, causing pain and discomfort
- Dairy– If you’re feeling nauseous, it is wise to stay away from dairy until it subsides
- Sugar– Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria
- Hard, crunchy foods– These will be hard to chew and can get stuck in the surgical site
- Straws– Any sucking motion increases the risk of the blood clot forming over the surgical site to dislodge, resulting in a dry socket, which is extremely painful
Foods high in Vitamin A, C, and/or K are known to contribute to the healing process. Foods high in these vitamins are:
- Sweet potato
- Dark, leafy greens
- Carrots
- Squash
- Cauliflower
- Pineapple
Since you will be on a liquid diet for the first few days after surgery, the best thing to do with the above foods is to either blend them into a smoothie or mash them into a puree. For specific recipes, check out our Food Guide. [File link: vasa-post-op-diet-tips.pdf]