The wisdom teeth are the molars located at the back of the mouth. They usually appear when you’re between 17 to 25 years old. There comes a time when the wisdom teeth need to be extracted because they haven’t come out normally or they have been impacted in a certain manner. If they also appear from a wrong angle, they need to be extracted.
As the wisdom teeth are removed, the medic will administer anesthesia. If the wisdom teeth are yet to come, the surgeon will make some incisions to remove them. They may remove the bone if it is blocking them from accessing the roots of the teeth. After the teeth are removed, the surgeon will clean the site and stitch it well. Sounds scary? Not really! As long as you have the procedure done by someone like this reputable dentist in Melbourne, everything should be fine.
They can also place a gauze over the area where they were extracting the teeth.
The types of food that you eat after the wisdom teeth are extracted matter. You should consume liquid or soft foods that will not irritate the extraction site, which means it will heal faster. Some drinks and foods that will get trapped or irritate the extraction site will cause an infection. You should adhere to the advice from the dentist about the foods to eat after the surgery.
What You Should Eat After the Wisdom Teeth are Removed
After the tooth extraction procedure, you need to consume soft and liquid foods. There is no need to chew these foods, which means you won’t experience any pain. When you consume hard foods, they will cause some damage, or they can get stuck in the area recovering after the surgery.
Some of the soft foods that you can consume include:
- Yogurt
- Apple sauce
- Blended soups and broths
- Smoothies
- Ice cream and pudding
- Mashed potatoes
Cool foods such as ice cream and smoothies will help to relieve the discomfort you may be experiencing. Smoothies and blended soups are also rich in nutrients, and they’ll promote fast healing. The soups will help to balance the high-sugar options in your diet.
As you heal, you can start to consume normal foods. You can start with semisoft foods such as instant oatmeal and scrambled eggs before you go ahead and start taking fruits and chicken.
What You Should Not Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
There are foods that you’re supposed to avoid after the wisdom tooth removal. You should stick to the foods that we have listed above for a few days. Avoid the following foods after the wisdom tooth is extracted:
- Alcoholic beverages will irritate the area where the wisdom teeth have been extracted. Such beverages will also interact negatively with the pain killers prescribed by the dentist
- Spicy and acidic foods will cause pain and irritation
- Foods that are hard to chew, such as chips and nuts since they’ll delay healing and the stitches will reopen
- Grains such as rice and different types of seeds since they can be trapped in the area where the wisdom teeth were extracted
Within 72 hours after the teeth extraction process, you should avoid smoking. When you smoke before 72 hours are over, you’re at the risk of different complications. You should also not chew tobacco for one week. You should adhere to all these precautions after extraction of wisdom tooth.
How Much Time Does It Take to Recover?
Within the first 48 hours, you should only consume liquid foods such as ice cream and yogurt. The cold foods will ensure you won’t experience discomfort.
You’ll start feeling better eventually, and you can go ahead and start taking more solid foods. Two days after the surgery, you can start taking toast, oatmeal, or eggs. You can then go ahead and consume solid foods if you won’t experience any pain while chewing. If you experience any pain as you chew, you should go ahead and take semisoft foods.
The majority of people normally resume normal eating in a week.
Complications that Arise After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Complications are not common in relation to wisdom teeth removal; nonetheless, some complications can come about. Common complications include the reopening of the extraction site, and the healing process will take more time.
The common complications include:
Dry Sockets
The dry sockets are common. They normally occur when the blood doesn’t clot in the tooth’s socket or when the clot becomes dislodged. Fortunately, a surgeon can treat the dry sockets. The surgeon will flush out the debris, and they’ll also cover the socket using a dressing that is medicated.
Dry socket symptoms include:
- Exposed bone
- Throbbing or aching pain in the jaw or gum
- An unpleasant smell or taste from the socket
Infections
The infections will be caused by the bacteria and food particles trapped in the socket where the wisdom teeth were extracted. The bacteria normally spread throughout the whole body, and it should be treated fast. The symptoms that you have an infection include:
- Fever
- Pus or blood from the extraction site
- Chills
- Spasms
- Bad smell or taste in your mouth
- Swollen or painful gums close to the extraction site
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage after the wisdom teeth are extracted is rare; nonetheless, it occurs. During surgery, trigeminal nerves can sustain some injuries. The injuries can be temporary, and they can last for weeks or months. The nerve damage will be permanent depending on the severity of the injuries. The symptoms of nerve damage include:
- Tingling and numbness in the tongue, gums, lower lips, and chin
- Pain
Allergic Reaction
If you notice that you have an allergic reaction, there is the need to seek immediate medical attention. You can be allergic to the medication prescribed by the doctor. Some of the signs that you have an allergic reaction include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling like your tongue is swelling, or your throat is closing
- Skin rash
- Rapid heart rate
- Fever
Final Thoughts
There are many people who heal fast after the wisdom teeth are extracted. To heal fast, you need to adhere to the guidelines issued by the doctor. Also, you should eat the right foods.