Did you recently have a wisdom tooth extracted? If yes, give yourself a thumbs up for taking a bold step towards better dental health. We understand that surgical removal of wisdom teeth is quite a painful undertaking, but trust us it will help strengthen your gums and teeth in the long run. According to the American Dental Association, wisdom teeth often don’t have enough room to grow in properly and can damage the soft tissue of the gums, causing further pain, infection, and damage to nearby teeth. In such cases, the tooth may need to be extracted, and recovery may take 2-3 weeks. Be especially careful with your diet during this time. Oral surgeons usually recommend eating soft, non-painful foods until the area heals.
Also read: Expert Talk: Foods and Other Dietary Habits to Avoid for Oral Health
Why is it important to eat soft foods after tooth extraction?
As I mentioned earlier, it is not possible to return to a normal diet immediately after a wisdom tooth extraction. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice nutrients. Experts say it’s important to choose foods that are healthy and easy to eat to prevent clumps of food from getting stuck in the collection site. In addition, soft, healthy foods speed up the healing process and also help avoid post-surgery infections of all kinds.
What should I eat after tooth extraction?
I often see people drinking a lot of ice cream after having their teeth pulled. Ice cream cools the affected area and reduces swelling. Moreover, it is easy to eat. But eating too much ice cream can affect your overall health. That’s why we’ve carefully curated a list of healthy, delicious and soft foods you can eat after surgery.
Also read: 5 Everyday Foods That May Damage Your Teeth – What To Eat Instead
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Here are five foods you should eat after wisdom tooth extraction.
1. Scrambled eggs:
Eggs are always helpful in any situation. It’s easy to eat, low-maintenance, and rich in several healing nutrients. Click here for the classic scrambled egg recipe for enjoying a semi-soft meal.
2. Mashed potatoes:
You can combine scrambled eggs with mashed potatoes to build a healthy meal. We agree that potatoes are starchy, but they also contain nutrients that aid in proper healing. You can cook it according to your taste, but be careful not to add extra spices. Click here for an easy mashed potato recipe.
3. Lassie:
Lassi is perfect for those concerned about the extra calories in ice cream. Thanks to the healthy dahi (curd) included in the recipe, you will get the same feeling of comfort and add nutrition to your diet. Get the delicious Lassi recipe here.
4. Banana:
Tender and nutritious, it also makes for a healthy meal. It is also available in abundance throughout the year. If you want to turn a simple banana into a treat, top it with chocolate sauce and enjoy.
5. Soup/Soup:
Eating good quality protein is also important. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare and enjoy simple soups or vegetable/chicken/bone broths with minimal spices and butter. Here, try her two basic recipes: Masordal Soup and Chicken Soup.
Also read: 5 delicious and healthy dal soups to enjoy during the monsoon (recipe inside)
Photo credit: iStock
Foods to avoid after tooth extraction:
It is equally important to know what not to eat after surgery. Besides solid foods, alcohol, nicotine (tobacco), hot foods, and extra spices should also be avoided. I also recommend avoiding caffeine, but some dentists say it’s okay to let it come to room temperature and have a cup of coffee or chai (but no more). You can also enjoy it as a cold coffee or iced tea, but as mentioned above, please keep the amount in mind.
After any kind of oral treatment, it is always advisable to discuss your diet in detail with your dentist and stick to it.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, is for general information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. For more information, always consult a specialist or your doctor. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
