Your wisdom teeth are also known as your third molars. They grow at the back of your gums, and are most commonly the last teeth to erupt from your jaw, usually during early adulthood. While the majority of the world’s population grow all four wisdom teeth, they don’t always erupt properly. Because there isn’t much space in our mouths, your wisdom teeth can erupt at odd angles, horizontally, or even just partially emerge, also known as impaction.
When this happens, your dentist may recommend wisdom teeth removal. If you’ve recently had your wisdom teeth removed, or if you have a surgery coming up, you might be wondering what foods you can eat to ensure you are getting the right nutrition post-surgery.
Luckily, there are a variety of foods you can eat after surgery, and we will highlight some of the better ones to choose from!
Blended Soups and Broths
Who doesn’t love a delicious soup? Blended soups like pumpkin, tomato, or others are ideal to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. They are unlikely to irritate the surgery wounds as they are easy to consume and don’t require any chewing.
Not only that, soups are nutritious, rich in vitamins and minerals, and are a sure-fire way to make sure you get all the nutrition you need when you’re not ready to eat hard or solid foods.
After surgery, when choosing to eat soups, make sure you choose lukewarm soups, as hot temperatures may irritate your surgery wounds.
Greek Yogurt
Rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, greek yogurt is a highly nutritious food that you can enjoy after your dental surgery. With a cold, smooth and creamy texture, it can soothe and gently numb your mouth, offering some relief if you are experiencing any pain.
Mashed Potatoes
One of the best options if you find yourself feeling particularly hungry – mashed potatoes are rich in calories and nutrients, making them great for helping you recover. If you feel weak, a portion of mashed potatoes will restore your energy levels in just a few bites.
Scrambled Eggs
Like greek yogurt, scrambled eggs are a great high-protein food you can eat after dental surgery. Scrambling your eggs also makes them easier to chew and swallow.
Smoothies
If you can’t eat a solid meal, a smoothie is the perfect solution to boost your nutrition and get everything you need as you recover from surgery. They are easy to consume, versatile, and quick to make. Not only that, but you can adjust your ingredients to suit your palate and meet your needs. So if you feel you’re low on veggies, you can always blend them into your smoothie for an extra healthy boost!
Other Foods to Consider
Of course, there are countless other soft foods you can consider after surgery that are nutritious and delicious. Those include applesauce, mashed bananas, cottage cheese, and instant oatmeal.
If you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, or plan to have your wisdom teeth extracted soon, you can stock up your pantry with the foods of your choice to make sure you stay healthy, happy and nourished after your surgery.
