What To Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal: Soft Foods And More

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Evidence BasedWhat to Eat and Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Medically reviewed by Olivia Sugimoto, D.M.D. — Written by Ryan Raman, MS, RD — Updated on December 5, 2024

Foods to eat
Foods to avoid
Takeaway

It’s normal to be sore after having your wisdom teeth removed. Eating soft foods such as soups, yogurt, and ice cream may help make recovery easier and prevent infections or complications.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, grow in each corner at the back of your mouth. Every year, there are close to 5 million wisdom tooth extractions in the United States.

The recovery may take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. During this time, it’s important to eat soft foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and energy.

Doing this can help:

avoid dislodging natural blood clots
prevent food chunks or debris from getting stuck in the extraction sites
prevent infections or complications, such as dry sockets
reduce swelling
provide nourishment
speed up healing

Read on to discover 15 soft foods to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed, as well as some to avoid.

Kale protein smoothies — Courtesy of PlateJoy

15 foods to eat

1. Blended soups

Blended soups, such as tomato soup and pumpkin soup, are great to eat during the first 5 days after having your wisdom teeth removed. They’re easy to consume, don’t require chewing, and don’t contain bits that could irritate the surgical sites.

Blended soups may also be packed with nutrient-dense vegetables and legumes, which are rich in micronutrients. Plus, soup can help you stay hydrated, which is very important after surgery.

It’s wise to make sure your soups are either lukewarm or cold, because hot soups might cause irritation. Also, make sure to blend vegetable-based soups until they’re as smooth as possible to avoid chunks.

2. Broths

Like soups, broths may be an excellent source of nourishment and hydration for the first few days after surgery.

Bone broth is made by simmering bones and connective tissues, which may come from:

turkeys
chickens
lambs
pigs
cows
fish

It’s packed with vitamins and minerals and touted for its numerous health benefits.

Bone broth is also high in amino acids, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory benefits.

As with soup, remember to consume the broth either lukewarm or cold to avoid irritating the wound.

3. Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is a nutritious, smooth, and creamy food that may help soothe and numb your mouth after dental surgery. It’s rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and zinc.

High protein foods may promote wound healing.

Adequate zinc intake may also promote wound healing. However, if you already get enough zinc, consuming more may not provide any added benefits.

4. Mashed potatoes

Potatoes are a root vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. When mashed, they may be comforting after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed.

They’re rich in calories and nutrients, which is important for recovery. People have slightly higher energy requirements after having surgery.

Before eating mashed potatoes, make sure they’re completely smooth and have no chunks in them. Adding butter, milk, or water might help loosen the mash.

It’s important to eat them lukewarm to prevent irritating your wound.

5. Scrambled eggs

Scrambled eggs are a fantastic semisoft food to start eating once you’re ready to slowly chew with your other teeth.

They’re a high quality source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, including:

vitamins A and B12
zinc
iron
selenium

These are all important for maintaining a healthy immune system and healing wounds.

6. Applesauce

Apples are hard and crunchy, which isn’t ideal after having your wisdom teeth removed.

Eating applesauce is one way to increase your fruit intake within 24 hours of surgery. It’s rich in vitamins B, C, and E and copper.

Applesauce is usually made from pureed apples, which are typically skinless and cored. This reduces their nutritional content since the skin contains many vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.

Nevertheless, a skinless apple is a good source of vitamin C, which may help:

reduce inflammation and pain
boost your immune system
improve fibroblast migration and in vitro wound closure

7. Mashed bananas

The soft texture of a banana makes it easy to chew, savor, and swallow once you’re ready to gradually start chewing after dental surgery.

Bananas are incredibly nutritious, providing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, such as:

potassium
vitamin B6
manganese
folate

Mashing bananas could further soften their texture to reduce the risk of discomfort.

8. Banana ice cream

The coldness of ice cream may have a soothing effect on the extraction wound. However, regular ice cream is typically high in sugar and fat.

Banana ice cream is a healthy and delicious homemade alternative.

How to make banana ice cream

Ingredients

3–4 bananas, peeled
a splash of your preferred milk, such as dairy, almond, or oat

Instructions

Place the bananas in the freezer for 3–4 hours or overnight.
Slice the frozen bananas.
Place the slices in a blender and add milk.
Blend until the mixture has a thick, smooth consistency.
Enjoy.

9. Avocado

Avocados are a unique fruit. While most fruits are high in carbs, avocados are low in carbs but high in healthy fats.

They’re a rich source of vitamins K and C and potassium, and they boast many other health benefits. Their smooth, creamy texture makes them great for eating when you’re recovering from dental surgery.

It may be best to consume guacamole or whipped or mashed avocados during your recovery.

10. Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to boost your nutrient intake when you can’t eat a solid meal.

They’re easy to consume, customizable to your tastes and nutrition goals, and highly versatile.

For example, smoothies with Greek yogurt or a scoop of protein powder may significantly boost your protein intake, while fruit-loaded smoothies may increase your fiber intake.

For a healthy, balanced smoothie, add fruits, vegetables, and a protein source to the blender.

It’s best to avoid seeded fruits such as strawberries and blackberries during your recovery. Seeds could get stuck in the extraction site, which may lead to infections or complications.

A note on straws

It is very important to avoid straws during recovery.

This is because they can dislodge the blood clots and lead to dry socket, which is one of the more common—and painful—complications after wisdom tooth removal.

11. Hummus

Hummus is a common Middle Eastern dip and spread in that has become popular worldwide.

It’s a great source of healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and protein. This makes hummus an excellent food for someone who has just had their wisdom teeth removed.

You can easily make hummus at home by blending the following ingredients in a food processor:

chickpeas
tahini
olive oil
garlic
lemon

Alternatively, you can buy premade hummus from most supermarkets.

During your recovery, you won’t be able to enjoy the hummus with chips or pita bread because their crunchy texture may damage the wound. But hummus is still delicious to eat by itself.

12. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is low in calories but packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also soft and creamy, which may make it easier to eat as you gradually start to chew again.

Try adding it to scrambled eggs or smoothies or just eating it on its own.

13. Instant oatmeal

Oats are among the most nutritious foods. They’re filling, they’re a good source of fiber, and they contain vitamins and minerals.

Since they have a slightly chewy and sticky texture, it’s best to wait to consume them until at least 3 days after having your wisdom teeth removed. Instant oats may be a better option than other types of oats, such as steel cut, since they’re less chewy.

To avoid irritation, make sure the oats have cooled before eating them.

14. Mashed pumpkin

Mashed, cooked pumpkin is great to eat after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. Its soft, mushy texture makes it easy to chew and swallow without causing irritation.

While sometimes referred to as a vegetable, pumpkin is actually a fruit. It’s rich in vitamins A, C, and E and minerals such as potassium.

As with mashed potatoes or bananas, make sure your pumpkin is fully mashed and cooled before eating it.

15. Salmon

Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. It’s also great to eat once you’re ready to start chewing during your recovery from surgery.

Salmon is a rich source of protein and healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. These fats may aid wound healing by reducing inflammation, especially if you have low omega-3 levels.

Foods to avoid

Several types of foods may irritate the extraction wounds in your mouth or dislodge the blood clots, which are crucial for healing after surgery.

During your recovery, avoid consuming:

Spicy foods, which may cause pain and irritation.
Crunchy and crumbly foods (such as chips or cookies), which may get lodged in the wound area and potentially cause infections or complications.
Most grains, seeds, and nuts, which may get lodged in the wound and disrupt healing.
Chewy foods for a few days, as they might increase your risk of biting your cheek, lips, and tongue, especially while your mouth is still numb.
Alcohol, as it may irritate the wound or interact with any prescribed medication. It’s best to avoid alcohol entirely during the recovery period.

Takeaway

If you’ve just had your wisdom teeth removed, it’s important to choose nutrient-rich and soft-textured foods. These may support recovery and help prevent discomfort, and they will keep you full.

If you’re having your wisdom teeth removed soon, it may be worthwhile to stock your kitchen with these delicious foods to make sure you’ll stay nourished and satisfied after surgery.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dietary information to promote wound healing. (2022).https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Clinical%20Support%20Services/Dietetics/Dietary%20information%20to%20promote%20wound%20healing.pdf
Hallab L, et al. (2022). Quality of life after extraction of mandibular wisdom teeth: A systematic review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486647/
Maggini S, et al. (2018). Immune fuction and micronutrient requirements change over the life course.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212925/
Mar-Solís LM, et al. (2021). Analysis of the anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth in a murine model of ulcerative colitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618064/
Pisalsitsakul N, et al. (2022). Taking 200 mg vitamin C three times per day improved extraction socket wound healing parameters: A randomized clinical trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8930268/
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2019). FoodData Central.https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html
Zinc [Fact sheet]. (2022).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Medically reviewed by Olivia Sugimoto, D.M.D. — Written by Ryan Raman, MS, RD — Updated on December 5, 2024

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Nutrition

15 foods to eat

1. Blended soups

2. Broths

3. Greek yogurt

4. Mashed potatoes

5. Scrambled eggs

6. Applesauce

7. Mashed bananas

8. Banana ice cream

How to make banana ice cream

9. Avocado

10. Smoothies

A note on straws

11. Hummus

12. Cottage cheese

13. Instant oatmeal

14. Mashed pumpkin

15. Salmon

Foods to avoid

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Evidence Based

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