50 Soft Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Susannah studied journalism and is a writer both online and off. She lives in Australia with her family.
50 Soft foods to eat after dental surgery
It can be hard to find satisfying foods to eat after wisdom tooth removal or other oral surgery. The food must be soft and easy to eat, but since healing can take a few days it is also important that we not tire of our menu options.
Here are some foods and liquids to stock up on before surgery and keep around while you are healing.
This homemade applesauce smells and tastes great and is easy to make. Add a little cinnamon for flavor!
Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery (A-C)
| Food | Preparation |
|---|---|
Applesauce | Cook apples until tender and blend. Try this with apricots or peaches! |
Avocado | Mashed plain or mixed with salt, lemon, or honey |
Baby Food | A perfect pre-made puree! |
Baked Beans and Spaghetti | Cooked and mashed. |
Bananas | Mashed well with yoghurt or milk. |
Broth | Chicken, beef, or vegetable. |
Casseroles | Soft and well-cooked with plenty of liquid. |
Cheesecake | You can enjoy yourself during recovery! |
Cheese | Soft or melted. |
Clams | Smooth and creamy. |
Congee | Cooked soft. |
Couscous/Semolina | Well-cooked and served sweet or savory. |
Cottage Cheese | Plain or mixed with soft veggies. |
Custard | Made fresh or pre-made. |
Chewing and Swallowing After Oral Surgery
If you have wool pads or sore areas in your mouth, the idea of chewing and swallowing can be scary. Try chewing with your front teeth. Once the food is soft enough, swish it around with saliva for a few seconds and then swallow.
Vegetable, chicken, or beef broth is nutritious and ideal for a healing mouth. Make sure the veggies or meat are cooked very well.
Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery (D-M)
| Food | Preparation |
|---|---|
Dips | Tzatziki, lebneh, French onion, hummus, and guacamole. |
Eggs | Scrambled or poached. |
Fish | Tuna or lox. |
Ice Cream | Frozen yoghurt too. Just avoid nuts. |
Jelly/Jell-O | Quintessential get-well food. |
Juice | Fresh squeezed fruit or vegetable. |
Macaroni & Cheese | Well-cooked and soft. |
Mashed Potato | Well-blended with no lumps. |
Meatloaf or Meatballs | Mashed a little. |
Remember, no straws! Sucking through a straw can remove the blood clot that forms over your wound and heals the extraction area.
Congee, a rice porridge sometimes prepared with broth, can be a meal when prepared with egg, onion, and parsley.
Pain Medication After Wisdom Teeth Removal
While some people never need pain medication after oral surgery, others feel pain and discomfort that is hard to ignore. Paracetamol (Panadol or Tylenol) or Ibuprofin (Neurofen) can help. If these medicines don't do the trick, check with your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist about which drugs are best for you.
Ice cream (without nuts or other hard inclusions) or frozen yogurt is delicious and soothing after oral surgery.
Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery (M-P)
| Foods | Preparation |
|---|---|
Milk Drinks | Cow or almond milk. |
Noodles/Pasta | Small, flat pasta that doesn't require much chewing or slurping. |
Nut Butters | Peanut, almond, or cashew. Well-ground. |
Oatmeal | Mixed with honey, syrup, or mashed banana. |
Polenta | Used as cereal or with savory additions. |
Pudding | Tapioca, too. |