Wisdom teeth removal is a relatively minor dental procedure that many Australians undergo. This third set of molars typically erupts during late adolescence or early adulthood and can cause oral health issues if there isn’t enough room in your mouth to accommodate them.
Full recovery after wisdom teeth removal can take up to two weeks but depends on whether you had a simple or complex extraction. A simple extraction removes wisdom teeth that have broken through the gum line and can be removed easily by gripping the crown and gently rocking the tooth back and forth.
A complex extraction involves making an incision in the gums and removing impacted wisdom teeth in sections before suturing the site. At Townsend Family Dental, our sedationist can provide in-chair sedation to ensure your comfort when you have your wisdom teeth removed.
You may experience some bruising and swelling during your recovery, which can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. You can also intermittently apply a cold compress to your face for the first 24 hours to help reduce the swelling.
To lessen your discomfort and help you heal and recover faster, it can be helpful to:
Your dentist may also prescribe pain killers and recommend that you follow a soft food diet until the site heals.
Your post-operative foods should be soft and easy to chew and full of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins to aid in your recovery. On the day of your wisdom tooth removal, you may be unable to chew semi-solid foods due to the swelling and tenderness in your mouth, so ensure you consume sufficient liquids. This can include water, vegetable juices, broth, and smoothies.
Although it comes down to personal preference, here are some foods to try after your wisdom teeth removal:
This cool, sweet treat is perfect for the first couple of days after having your wisdom teeth removed. Ice cream soothes the inflamed gum tissue, promoting quicker healing.
You can also try frozen yoghurt or icy poles to help calm vulnerable gum tissue.
Protein is essential for the healing process, so in the first 48 hours, protein shakes and smoothies with protein added can kickstart your recovery, but avoid drinking them through a straw.
Greek yoghurt packs a huge protein punch and is high in vitamins, helping the surgical site heal. Choose a plain flavour so you don’t get any fruit trapped in the surgical site that can cause irritation and reopen the wound.
Apple sauce is an excellent post-surgery snack because it doesn’t require any effort to chew, which can ease jaw soreness. It’s packed with dietary fibre, potassium, calcium, folate, magnesium, and vitamin C.
Avoid eating the apple sauce pouches since they require suction and can lead to a secondary condition called dry socket if the blood clot is dislodged.
Nutrient-rich blended soups like pumpkin, carrot, and cauliflower are easy to consume after having your wisdom teeth removed. They also keep you hydrated and repair your sensitive gum tissue while helping you fight off infection.
The soup and broth should be served at room temperature so it doesn’t irritate the wound site.
Instant oats offer the antiinflammatory properties of rolled or steel-cut oats without the grain husk that could irritate the surgical site.
Cook instant oats with whole milk and serve with fruit puree.
Allow the porridge to cool to room temperature before eating it to reduce the risk of bleeding or causing sensitivity at the extraction site.
The amino acids found in protein assist with wound healing and cell renewal. While you can’t enjoy a juicy steak or burger, a piece of steamed white fish, such as Alaskan pollock, bass, or cod, provides you with a nutrient-dense protein option.
Even if you don’t experience any discomfort, you may have issues with your wisdom teeth, like decay from them being challenging to clean. Our dental team monitors the development of your wisdom teeth at your regular dental check-ups as part of our preventative care program. This way, you can rest assured that oral health issues are avoided and that your wisdom teeth removal is as comfortable as possible.
To book your dental check-up, call us on (07) 5235-5879.
Removing Wisdom Teeth
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/surgery/removing-wisdom-teeth
Whole grain oats, more than just a fiber: Role of unique phytochemicals
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mnfr.201600715
