If you need to have your wisdom teeth taken out, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) says it can take up to six weeks to fully heal. So it’s important to know what foods are best to eat after having your wisdom teeth taken out so you don’t speed up the healing process.
We talked to Henry Ferguson, DMD, the program director of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and an associate professor at the Dental College of Georgia, about the best time to eat certain foods while you are getting your wisdom teeth. This will make your life easier.
In general, he says to only eat liquid or runny foods the day before and day after your surgery. For the week or two after that, eat soft foods that are easy to chew.
Dr. said, “After three weeks, your soft tissue should be healed enough that it can handle some light attempts to eat.” Ferguson says. “Your ability to chew some substantial foods should be better. ” In other words, you can eat many solid foods by this point.
At the four-week mark, you should be able to return to your regular diet, Dr. Ferguson tells LIVESTRONG. com. At this point, if it hurts to eat certain foods, you should call your doctor to make sure you don’t have any other problems.
To help you craft your post-surgery diet, here are Dr. Ferguson’s suggestions for what foods to eat at different stages of your recovery, such as when you can eat meat again after having your wisdom teeth taken out
The Cleveland Clinic says that after surgery, your oral surgeon will give you a full list of care instructions. If they have to, they can tell you if it’s okay to eat certain things, like if you can eat donuts, cake, or shrimp after having your wisdom teeth taken out.
Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a big deal. While the surgery itself may only take 30-60 minutes, recovery can take weeks. During this time, it’s crucial to follow your dentist’s recommendations for what you can and cannot eat. One common question is “can you eat shrimp after wisdom teeth removal?”.
As a dental hygienist writing for my blog, I want to provide a detailed guide to answer this question. My goal is to educate readers on why diet matters after surgery, give guidelines on when you can intro duce shrimp and other foods, and share tips to prevent complications like dry socket.
Why Your Diet Matters After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After surgery, wounds are left in your gums where your wisdom teeth used to be. These extraction sites need time to heal and form clots to stop bleeding. Plus, your mouth and jaw are sore from being held open during the procedure.
Eating the wrong foods during recovery can dislodge blood clots and irritate the surgery sites This disruption in healing can lead to dangerous complications like
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Dry Socket – When a blood clot becomes dislodged, it exposes nerves and bone. This is extremely painful and prone to infection. Certain foods are more likely to cause this.
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Swelling & Bleeding – Hard, crunchy, chewy, or hot foods can make swelling worse and restart bleeding.
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Food Impaction – If food gets stuck in the surgery site, it can delay healing.
That’s why it’s so important to follow post-op diet instructions. Sticking to soft, cool foods allows your mouth to heal quickly and comfortably.
When Can You Eat Shrimp After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Shrimp is typically not recommended in the immediate days following wisdom tooth extraction Here’s a general timeline for when you can add shrimp and other foods back into your diet
Days 1-3: Stick to liquids and pureed foods like yogurt, applesauce, and protein shakes. Nothing that requires chewing.
Days 4-7: Introduce soft foods like mashed potatoes, pasta, eggs, and well-cooked fish fillets.
Day 7+: If healing well, you can try soft shredded meats like shrimp without harsh seasonings or shells. Go slow and stop if it hurts.
2 Weeks+: Most people are cleared for their regular diets. But continue to be gentle around surgical sites.
As you can see, shrimp is not advised until at least a week after surgery when wounds have begun closing. Even then, it’s best to remove shells and tails to decrease chances of food getting stuck. Go slowly and stop eating if any food causes pain.
Tips to Introduce Shrimp and Other New Foods Safely
Here are some tips as you expand your diet after wisdom teeth removal surgery:
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Go slow – Only add one new food every 2-3 days so you can monitor pain levels.
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Avoid tails & shells – Stick to peeled, chopped shrimp to decrease chances of impaction.
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Take small bites – Don’t pack your mouth full and chew gently, especially near surgical sites.
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Use the other side – Focus chewing on the opposite side of your mouth from extraction sites when possible.
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Stop if it hurts – Any sharp pains are a sign to stop eating and stick to softer foods for now.
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Stay hydrated – Drink lots of water to help food move smoothly and prevent friction on wounds.
Following these tips will allow you to slowly work shrimp and other new foods into your diet while giving wounds time to continue healing.
How to Prevent Dry Socket and Other Complications
Beyond diet, there are a few other things you can do during recovery to prevent painful complications like dry socket:
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Avoid straws and smoking, which create suction on clots.
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Gently rinse extraction sites with warm salt water starting 24 hours after surgery to keep clean.
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Take any antibiotics or pain meds as directed to prevent infection and reduce swelling.
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Rest as much as possible with your head elevated on pillows to decrease swelling.
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Call your dentist immediately if you experience severe pain, bleeding, fever, or bad tastes/smells.
Following post-op care instructions diligently gives you the best chance of smooth, complication-free healing after oral surgery.
Listen to Your Dentist and Your Body
While general timelines exist, every patient heals differently after wisdom teeth removal. It’s best to follow your specific dentist’s post-op dietary guidelines. And listen to your body – if a food causes pain or discomfort, avoid it until tissues have had more time to mend.
With proper care, most people can introducing soft, shredded shrimp 1-2 weeks after surgery. But don’t rush the process. A slow, gentle recovery now means you can get back to eating all your favorites sooner. Focus on soft, nutrient-dense foods and stay hydrated. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying shrimp and other go-to meals again!
Soft Meat and Fish — First and Second Week
When can you eat meat after having your wisdom teeth taken out? Usually, you can start snacking on some types of soft meat in the first and second week after your surgery, Dr. Ferguson says.
The AAOS says that after having your wisdom teeth taken out, you can eat fish and meat that are very finely cut because they don’t put too much stress on your teeth, jaw, or gums.
What about other kinds of meat? For example, can you eat ground beef or chicken after having your wisdom teeth taken out? That’s what the UMass Chan Medical School and Dr. Ferguson, some other good options include:
- Chicken or tuna salad (without hard pieces of food like celery)
- Deli meat slices
- Meatloaf
- Ground beef
But again, use discretion for when you can eat meat after your tooth extraction. The University of Washington says that until the healing process is further along, it’s best to stay away from things that are tough, have hard chunks, or need to be chewed too hard or too quickly.
You might be wondering when or if you can eat steak or sausage after having your wisdom teeth taken out. Too bad that this kind of meat might be too tough or chewy for you right now. It’s probably best to wait until the extraction site has had more time to heal.
The same goes for eating shrimp after having a tooth pulled—the chewy fish may need more biting than is safe at this point.
Similarly, you might be curious if you can eat hamburger after your tooth extraction. While Dr. In general, Ferguson says ground beef is fine, but other burger ingredients might not be at this point. Crunchy onions, crispy bacon bits or sesame seeds on the bun, for example, may disrupt your healing wound.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, your doctor is the best person to tell you which foods to avoid after having a wisdom tooth removed. If you’re wondering if you can eat another type of meat after having your tooth pulled, make sure you check with your doctor first.
What Are the Safest Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The Cleveland Clinic says that after your procedure, you can expect some swelling and bleeding. That’s why you should be careful what you eat and how much you exercise after having your wisdom teeth taken out.
Within the first six hours after surgery, Dr. Ferguson recommends having only liquids. As The Oral Surgery Center says, staying hydrated is very important. Water, alkaline water, and juices are all good options.
Dr. Ferguson also suggests making a smoothie with some of your favorite healthy foods to keep you full between meals. If you want to know if you can eat raspberries after having your wisdom teeth taken out, you might want to make a shake with them.
“The day of, you should be really careful not to do too much eating,” Dr. Ferguson says. According to the AAOMS, chewing all the time can hurt your extraction sites, so it’s better to drink your food or eat things that don’t need to be chewed.
Additional suggestions from the AAOMS are:
- Broth
- Soup
- Protein shakes
However, its important to avoid using straws while youre following a temporary liquid diet, Dr. Ferguson says that sucking on straws can make your gums hurt while they heal or even cause a problem called dry socket.
Dry socket is when a protective blood clot over the extraction site becomes dislodged, painfully exposing your bone and nerves and increasing your risk for infection or delayed healing, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Can I Eat Shrimp After Wisdom Teeth Removal | Let’s Find Out
Can you eat fish after wisdom tooth removal?
Craving meat? Fish is soft and flaky, making it a perfectly safe soft food to eat after wisdom tooth removal or other dental extractions. You can also do crab or crab cakes, as long as the breading isn’t heavy. But your best bet is a straight-up baked or grilled fillet without a lot of extras.
What are the best ways to manage pain after wisdom teeth removal?
Pain and discomfort are common after wisdom tooth removal. Taking prescribed pain medication, applying cold compresses to the affected area, using warm saltwater rinses, maintaining adequate oral hygiene, following dietary recommendations, resting and elevating your head, and avoiding strenuous activity are all useful approaches to managing pain and assisting healing after wisdom tooth removal. Always follow the post-operative instructions given by your dental practitioner and adhere to all follow-up appointments to avoid complications.
Can I eat soft food after wisdom teeth removal?
While consuming a balanced diet is important, eating regular foods immediately after wisdom tooth surgery may be challenging. Soft foods provide essential nutrients while being easier to consume during the initial healing phase. Can I eat sweet and spicy food after having my wisdom teeth removed?
Can you eat chips after wisdom tooth removal?
Just say no! Popcorn, chips, firm meats, and even crunchy fruits and vegetables need to be set aside until your wisdom tooth recovery is complete. You can go back to eating them within a week or two. Avoid these liquids for at least the first 3-4 days after your wisdom tooth removal.