When will I be able to eat after wisdom teeth removal? The initial healing after a tooth extraction takes one or two weeks, however, you can eat before the site is completely cured. The time frame for what you can eat will vary depending on the procedure.
After a difficult extraction, such as the removal of wisdom teeth or a tooth with two or more roots, your diet should only be liquid for a minimum of 24 hours. If the extraction is simple, such as the removal of a tooth with a root, foods with a lot of fiber and a hard texture should be avoided during the first 24 hours.
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What is Wisdom Tooth Extraction Exactly?
A surgical procedure used to remove a wisdom tooth is known as wisdom tooth extraction and it also has problems. At the top and bottom of the back corner of your mouth, four adult permanent teeth are located. A dentist or oral surgeon performs the extraction of a wisdom tooth in case there is no space for your tooth to grow that may cause pain, infection, or any other dental problem to you.
If there is no problem caused by the impacted teeth, even then the extraction is recommended in order to prevent potential failure problems.
Why is the Extraction Needed?
The last permanent teeth to erupt in the mouth are the wisdom teeth. They are also called third molars. 17 and 25 is the age where they can grow but there are some people who never experience the development of wisdom teeth. Sometimes wisdom teeth develop in an impacted form which means there is not enough space for them to grow in the mouth.
Preparation
The process may take place in a dentist’s office but if you have impacted wisdom tooth or if your case requires any surgical approach then you are referred to an oral surgeon.
Process
The following steps are acted upon during the extraction of wisdom tooth:
- In order to expose the tooth and bone, an incision is made in the gum tissue
- There is a bone that gives access to the tooth root. It is removed
- Sections are made for the tooth
- The tooth is removed after division
- The site for debris of the removed tooth is cleaned
- The wound is stitched to start the healing process
- Bleeding is controlled via the gauzes on the site of extraction
The process may be tough and painful but it won’t last long.
To cheer yourself up, the best food after wisdom tooth removal recommended by the dentists is ice cream. This food item always cheers a person but the additional feature it owns is that it provides a soothing effect to the place of extraction of wisdom tooth.
Growth of Wisdom Tooth
There are different positions where wisdom tooth can go like:
- At an angle towards the second molar
- It can also grow at the back of the mouth
- Wherever it grows, it stays
- Trapped with the jawbone
Extraction is needed because of some conditions. Those situations are as follows:
- Immense pain
- Food is trapped
- Tooth is decayed
- There is damage to the nearby bone or tooth development of a cyst
- Orthodontic complications
A number of instructions are provided by the dentist after tooth extraction like:
- What to eat after wisdom teeth removal
- What not to eat after tooth removal
- How to eat after wisdom tooth removal
The doctors will also answer your question about “how long after tooth extraction can I eat and drink?”
You just don’t have to worry about anything. Your dentists or oral surgeon will handle it all and soon you will be free of the pain caused after the removal as well.
What are the Risks Involved?
There are no long- term complications in wisdom tooth extractions. But if an incision is to be made in the gum tissue and bone has to be removed, then surgery is required. But still, some of the complications may include:
-
Painful dry socket
No clotting of blood occurs in the tooth socket. It also takes place when the clot becomes dislodged. The symptoms appear after three to five days of tooth removal. Only your surgeon can treat your dry sockets and relieve you from pain. Symptoms involve pungent smells from the socket. Your jaw or gums may feel unbearable pain. The bone may start to expose.
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Bacterial infection in the socket or trapping of the food particles
If the bacteria or food particles become trapped in the socket, infections can be cured. This has to be the place of removal of wisdom teeth. It can give rise to the spread of bacteria and needs immediate treatment. Symptoms of infection include fever, the release of blood, or pus from the site of extraction, chills, gums may swell. There may also be bad taste and smell in the mouth.
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The nearby teeth jaw bone or nerves can face damage
This is a very rare condition and may hardly take place but if it does, the following symptoms appear:
- Pain
- Gums get numb
- There is a tingling in gums, tongue, chin, teeth, and lower lips
-
Allergic reaction:
Emergency medical attention is required if you face any allergic reaction. The medicines prescribed by the doctor may have caused an allergy to you. The symptoms include:
- Breath shortness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of tongue
- Rashes on skin
- Fever
- Your head may get light off and on
When Can I Eat after Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
After a tooth is extracted, the mouth is usually numbed by local anesthesia for several hours, but once the numbness is gone you will feel hungry. Eating the wrong food too early can cause you to feel a significant amount of pain at the extraction site. It is very important to follow each step of the aftercare indicated by your dentist after a dental extraction to avoid infections and other problems.
As the pain subsides after the first 24 hours, you can begin to introduce foods with greater texture in your diet
Have Questions Like These?
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Or when can I eat normally after wisdom teeth removal, can I eat noodles after tooth extraction… can you eat after getting your wisdom teeth out?
Avoid chewing food at the extraction site because this will increase your risk of dislodging the blood clot. Dr. Peterson also points out that you should also avoid spicy foods that can irritate the extraction site and sticky foods that can eliminate the clot. Do not consume alcohol during the first days after an extraction.
The site of the extraction will swell and you will feel discomfort for at least 24 hours, which can make it difficult to eat. In most cases, a dentist will prescribe an analgesic such as hydrocodone. However, if there is no pain relief, paracetamol or ibuprofen tablet can usually be taken to help you eat more comfortably. Ask your dentist before taking any over-the-counter medication.
After eating, you will have to keep the area clean, but be sure to avoid brushing directly on the extraction site for three to four days. Use a clean, damp cloth or cloth to gently clean the area. Do not rinse because this can also dislodge the clot.
According to Aurora Health Care, some signs of an infection are that the pain gets worse, bleeding that lasts more than four hours, swelling, redness, and fever. If something seems abnormal, contact your dentist. If you are having trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention.
Also, after wisdom tooth extraction your gums and tissues may need at least 6 weeks to repair themselves.
Time of Eating After Extraction
This is a wondering question about how soon can you eat after getting a tooth pulled. Well, after 24 to 48 hours, only liquid foods and soft foods are recommended. In order to deal with comfort, cold foods are required.
You must also know what not to eat after wisdom teeth removal. Those foods include:
- You must continue the diet that you had started in first few days.
- Do not eat spicy or acidic food that may cause irritation and pain to you
- Any type of hard and solid food is not good for at least a week after tooth extraction
Frequently Asked Questions!
There are many frequently asked questions related to wisdom tooth extraction but the common question asked are:
What to eat after wisdom tooth extraction?
The list of soft foods that are required for example
- Smoothies
- Scrambled eggs
- banana ice cream
- salmon
- cottage cheese
- Mashed potatoes etc.
How long after wisdom teeth removal can I eat normally?
After the removal of wisdom teeth, you have to be careful and avoid food which may cause infection. The time duration of recovery depends on diet. Many people start eating normally within a week. You can eat normally when you feel comfortable and almost recovered.