Eating after wisdom tooth surgery

After your wisdom teeth have been removed or you have undergone other dental surgery, your body can use all the support it can get for the healing process. The right diet makes a particularly important contribution. We show you which foods you should avoid after surgery and how you can speed up the healing process!

No solid, hot and spicy foods

You should definitely avoid solid, hot and spicy foods in the days following the operation, as these increase the risk of injury and infection and can lead to secondary bleeding. Under no circumstances should leftover food, bacteria or irritating substances get into the surgical wound.

No dairy products

This is why it is also recommended to avoid dairy products after dental surgery. This is because the acidic bacteria, which are mainly found in yoghurt, cheese etc., can lead to inflammation and therefore hinder healing. Milk also impairs the effect of antibiotics, which are often prescribed after dental surgery. We therefore recommend using plant-based milk alternatives for about a week after the operation.

No coffee, tea, alcohol, nicotine or carbonated drinks

In the days following the procedure, you should also avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, carbonated drinks and nicotine. Substances such as caffeine, alcohol and acid irritate the gums, delay wound healing and can lead to secondary bleeding.

No blood-thinning foods

Blood-thinning foods should be removed from the diet for around a week after dental surgery. These include: Garlic, ginger, peppers, grapes, cherries, blueberries, sultanas, olives, pomegranates, apricots, walnuts, fish, anchovies and liquorice

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Your drinking meal after the operation

What you can eat after the operation

Liquid, mushy food for approx. 1 week afterwards

As soon as the anaesthetic wears off, you can carefully start eating food in liquid form. To protect the jaw and keep the area around the surgical wound as still as possible, you should stop chewing for several days. The safest option for an optimal healing process is to switch to liquid food for a while. You should even avoid hard, dry and crunchy foods such as nuts, bread crusts or crisps for a few weeks after the operation.

Pureed fruit and vegetables (smoothies, cream soups, etc.)

After an operation, it is particularly important to eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to boost the healing process. Pureed fruit and vegetables in the form of smoothies and cream soups are usually on the menu after wisdom tooth surgery. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard or pak choi are particularly recommended, as they are rich in vitamin A and therefore strengthen the immune system, support wound healing and protect against infections.

Water- or plant-based ice

Eating ice helps to heal wounds after surgery. It cools the cheek and wound from the inside and the temperature reduces the swelling. However, you should not consume any dairy products during the initial period. That's why ice cream without milk is the best option.

Mashed potato and porridge (with a plant-based milk alternative)

Mashed potato and porridge (prepared with a plant-based milk alternative) are well tolerated and filling.

Drinking meal - an option for the time after wisdom tooth surgery

Your body needs protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins to recover properly.

With high-calorie drinkable food, you get these nutrients. The creamy consistency makes it particularly easy to swallow after dental surgery. This ensures that you are supplied with nutrients without having to make an effort in the kitchen.

The astronaut food from Saturo is vegan and lactose-free. Our drinks are produced in Germany according to a tried and tested recipe. They have a balanced nutrient ratio and contain 26 vitamins and minerals. Even after an operation, you should eat as balanced a diet as possible. It is important to note that while Saturo can add variety to your diet, it is not a medical meal replacement. If you want to replace meals over a longer period of time (several weeks), be sure to speak to your doctor of choice.

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Summary: Eating after wisdom tooth surgery

Not OK: OK

Solid foods: Individual drinking meals or, if used for longer periods, medical meal replacements in consultation with your doctor

Hot foods: Pureed fruit

Hot foods: Pureed vegetables

Dairy products: Water- or plant-based ice

Coffee/tea

Alcohol/nicotine

Blood-thinning foods (garlic, peppers, etc.).)

An overview of the most important facts about nutrition during dental surgery

What should you not eat after wisdom tooth surgery?

Hot, spicy, hard and crumbly foods should be avoided for the time being. Dairy products, coffee, alcohol, nicotine and carbonated drinks should also be avoided at all costs after the operation.

What can you eat after wisdom tooth surgery?

Liquid and mildly flavoured dishes such as soups, mashed potatoes or smoothies are best. It is particularly important to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients. Liquid food for individual meals, but not prolonged use, is an easy option.

How long should I avoid dairy products after wisdom tooth surgery?

The guideline is 3-7 days. The exact duration depends on how large the wound is and how long antibiotics need to be taken after the procedure. However, it is best to ask your doctor again directly

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What should you pay attention to when eating with fixed braces?

Similar to after a dental operation, you also have to change your eating habits with fixed braces. This is especially true during the familiarisation phase after the braces have been fitted. After that, you can eat many things even with fixed braces. However, there are a few special points to bear in mind.

In general, hard, sticky and crumbly foods should be avoided with fixed braces. This is because they can damage the braces or leave food residue behind, which can lead to tooth decay and plaque formation.

Nuts, sticky sweets or biscuits are therefore taboo for the time being. This is because if the fixed braces are damaged by unsuitable food or become detached from the tooth, this is not only costly, but also prolongs the treatment time.

Chewing is often perceived as unpleasant or even painful, especially in the first few days and weeks after the braces are fitted. Especially during this familiarisation phase, it is advisable to rely on mushy or liquid food. Similar to after dental surgery, soups, smoothies, puree and porridge are well suited. If you want to keep things simple and ensure you still have a balanced diet, drinking meals for individual meals is a good idea.

Sources
  1. German Society for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine (DGZMK). (2021). S3 guideline: Surgical removal of wisdom teeth. AWMF registry number: 007-003.
  2. Ehrenfeld, M., & Schwenzer, N. (2010). Dental surgery (4th ed.). Stuttgart: Thieme.
  3. Susarla, S. M., & Dodson, T. B. (2019). Risk factors for third molar extraction difficulty. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 77(11), 2322-2333.
  4. Mahmoud Hashemi, H., Beshkar, M., & Aghajani, R. (2012). The effect of sutureless wound closure on postoperative pain and swelling after impacted mandibular third molar surgery. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 50(3), 256-258.
  5. Sortino, F., & Cicciù, M. (2011). Strategies used to inhibit postoperative swelling following removal of impacted lower third molar. Dental Research Journal, 8(4), 162-171.
  6. Bienstock, D. A., Dodson, T. B., Perrott, D. H., & Chuang, S. K. (2011). Prognostic factors affecting the duration of disability after third molar removal. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 69(5), 1272-1277.
  7. McGrath, C., Comfort, M. B., Lo, E. C., & Luo, Y. (2003). Changes in life quality following third molar surgery - the immediate postoperative period. British Dental Journal, 194(5), 265-268.
  8. Reich, W., Kriwalsky, M. S., Wolf, H. H., & Schubert, J. (2009). Bleeding complications after oral surgery in outpatients with compromised haemostasis: incidence and management. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, 108(2), 186-192.
  9. Poeschl, P. W., Eckel, D., & Poeschl, E. (2004). Postoperative prophylactic antibiotic treatment in third molar surgery - a necessity? Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 62(1), 3-8.
  10. Schwenzer, N., & Ehrenfeld, M. (2009). Oral and maxillofacial surgery: surgical basics (4th ed.). Stuttgart: Thieme.