After wisdom teeth removal, stick to cool and lukewarm soft foods that need little or no chewing for the first few days, such as yoghurt, smoothies eaten with a spoon, soup, mashed potato and scrambled eggs. Avoid anything hot, crunchy, spicy or small enough to get stuck in the socket. Most people can return to normal food within about a week.
Days 1 to 2: cool and smooth
- Yoghurt
- Smoothies (eat with a spoon, not a straw)
- Apple purée
- Blended soups, lukewarm not hot
- Jelly and custard
- Ice cream without nuts or chunks
- Protein shakes
- Hummus
Days 3 to 5: soft and easy to chew
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potato or sweet potato
- Porridge or oats
- Soft pasta and macaroni cheese
- Avocado
- Flaked fish
- Cottage cheese
- Ripe banana
- Soft cooked vegetables
- Pancakes
Days 6 onwards: building back up
- Soft bread without crusts
- Rice
- Tender minced meat
- Soft cooked chicken
- Steamed vegetables
- Couscous
- Soft fruit
Foods and habits to avoid
- Straws, which create suction that can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket
- Crunchy foods such as chips, nuts, popcorn and crackers
- Seeds and grains that can lodge in the socket
- Spicy or acidic foods that sting the wound
- Very hot food and drinks in the first 24 hours
- Alcohol, especially if taking prescribed pain medication
- Smoking, which greatly increases the risk of dry socket
Tips for eating comfortably
Chew on the side away from the extraction sites. Rinse gently with salt water after meals from day two. Keep up your fluids and protein, which help healing.
Frequently asked questions
When can I eat solid food after wisdom teeth removal? Usually after about a week, introducing firmer foods gradually as comfort allows.
Can I drink coffee after wisdom teeth removal? Wait at least 24 hours and let it cool to lukewarm. Do not use a straw.
Can I eat rice after a tooth extraction? It is fine after a few days, but rinse gently afterwards because grains can get stuck.
Planning wisdom tooth removal? Talk to Melrose Advanced Dentistry in Melrose, Johannesburg: 072 200 1774 or advanced-dentistry.co.za.