How to eat after wisdom tooth extraction: recommendations from the experts at Factor Smile in Dubai

Edited by Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that most people between the ages of 17 and 35 face sooner or later. Unlike regular extraction, in the case of dental wisdom teeth, we are most often talking about a full-fledged complex wisdom tooth extraction, especially if the tooth is positioned incorrectly, partially hidden under the gum, or presses on adjacent molars. Such an operation is accompanied by soft tissue trauma, suturing and requires careful attention to the recovery period.

The first days after extraction are the time when the body begins to actively recover: a protective blood clot is formed, regeneration processes are triggered, swelling decreases. It is at this moment that it is especially important not to harm. One of the main mistakes that patients face is non-compliance with dietary rules. The habit of returning to a normal diet too early, ignoring the doctor's advice, can lead to serious complications: inflammation of the socket (alveolitis), secondary bleeding, pain, infection.

Properly organized nutrition after wisdom tooth extraction is not just comfort, but the key to successful healing. The speed of recovery, the absence of pain and general well-being depend on what products you choose, how you cook meals and even how you drink water.

The team of the Factor Smile clinic in Dubai, relying on clinical experience and international recommendations, has prepared detailed and practical advice that will help you go through the postoperative period safely and without unnecessary stress. We know how important it is to recover quickly, especially in the conditions of an active lifestyle, heat and the rhythm of a big city. Therefore, we share with you everything that really works - from the first sip of water to returning to a full diet. Whether you’re recovering from extraction or preparing for braces and wisdom teeth treatment, the right care makes all the difference.

Why is a special diet important?

After the removal of a wisdom tooth, an open wound remains in its place - the socket. In the first hours, it is filled with a blood clot, which acts as a natural protective barrier. Its damage can lead to a complication called alveolitis - inflammation of the socket. In addition, the surrounding tissues after the operation often remain inflamed, swollen and sensitive. Hard, spicy or hot food can injure these areas, cause pain and provoke infections. Therefore, it is important to switch to a gentle, soft and nutritious menu for a few days.

General rules of nutrition after removal

The healing process of wisdom tooth removal largely depends on how carefully you approach your diet. Even minor violations of the diet can provoke complications, prolong healing or cause inflammation. Doctors at the Factor Smile clinic in Dubai recommend adhering to the following basic principles:

1. The first 2-3 hours - complete abstinence from food and drinks.

Immediately after the operation, you cannot eat or drink - not even plain water. This is necessary to preserve the blood clot, which protects the socket from infection and complications such as inflammation of the wisdom tooth hood or inflammation of the gum around the wisdom tooth. This is especially important to preserve the blood clot in the socket, which forms during the first minutes after extraction. This clot plays a key role: it protects the wound from the penetration of microbes, mechanical damage and premature bleeding. If you drink too early - especially through a straw, creating a vacuum - the clot can be washed out, which will lead to the opening of the wound, the development of a "dry socket" and severe pain. Patience in the first hours is the key to a healthy recovery.

2. Do not eat hot food and drinks for at least 24 hours.

Hot food dilates blood vessels and can cause re-bleeding. In addition, high temperatures irritate tissues that are already injured, worsening swelling and increasing pain. It is better to choose warm or slightly cool dishes that are comfortable in temperature for the oral cavity. This will help reduce the load on the injured area and speed up recovery.

3. Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky and spicy foods.

Mechanical trauma is one of the main risks during the postoperative healing period. Particles of hard food such as nuts, seeds, crackers, chips, as well as sticky products like chewing gum, toffee or stringy cheese can easily get stuck in the socket, irritating the wound and causing inflammation. Even worse are hot spices, marinades, sour sauces: they cause chemical irritation and can increase pain, cause burning and disrupt tissue healing. Forget about such products for a while - you can return to them only after full recovery.

4. Eat a balanced diet - this is no less important than following the prohibitions.

During healing, the body needs additional support, as it actively spends resources on restoring damaged tissues. Proteins promote cell regeneration, vitamins C and K strengthen blood vessels and enhance immune defense, while trace elements like zinc and iron accelerate the formation of new tissues. It’s essential to include soft yet nutritious meals in your diet: low-fat cottage cheese, boiled vegetables, sugar-free yogurts, and well-cooked porridge. This helps maintain overall health and prevents weakness — especially relevant in hot climates, under stress, and when appetite may decrease after wisdom tooth removal surgery.

If you still have questions like "where to get a wisdom tooth extraction", "wisdom tooth hood removal", or "the cost of wisdom tooth extraction", consult a trusted clinic. Many dental centers now offer advanced services: from wisdom tooth extraction under sedation to ct scan of wisdom teeth for accurate diagnostics and treatment planning. And if needed, it’s possible to remove two wisdom teeth at once — for example, when preparing for braces or addressing serious issues with wisdom tooth retention.

What can you eat after removing a wisdom tooth?

On the first day:

• Chilled vegetable purees without spices (pumpkin, potatoes, zucchini).
• Natural yogurts without sugar.
• Oatmeal, well-cooked and warm, not hot.
• Banana puree or soft ripe fruit.
• Liquid soups-puree on vegetable broth.

Important: you need to eat food in small portions, do not chew on the side of the removed tooth and do not use a straw.

On the 2-3 day:

If the swelling goes down and there is no pain, you can gradually introduce:

• Cottage cheese or soft cottage cheese.
• Soft boiled eggs, especially the yolk.
• Rice and buckwheat porridge, thoroughly boiled.
• Mashed boiled chicken or fish (without skin and bones).
• Compotes, jelly, fruit mousses.

After 5-7 days, when new tissue begins to form and the wound partially heals, the diet is expanded, but hard, fried, pickled and very salty foods are still avoided.

What is absolutely forbidden?

• Salty and sour foods.

They irritate the mucous membrane and provoke inflammation.

• Sweets, especially those that stick together.

Candies, toffees and even chocolate can get stuck in the socket and become a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Carbonated drinks and alcohol.

They increase the pressure in the vessels, destroy the clot and slow down healing.

• Coffee and strong tea.

Contain caffeine, which can increase sensitivity and pressure.

Hydration: how and what to drink after wisdom tooth extraction?

Proper drinking regimen after wisdom tooth extraction plays no less important role than nutrition. Moisture is necessary for normal metabolism, tissue regeneration, removal of toxins and general recovery of the body. However, immediately after surgery — especially after a complex wisdom tooth extraction or a procedure like lower wisdom tooth extraction — drinking must be approached with great caution and strict adherence to specific guidelines.

When can I start drinking?

You should refrain from any drinks for the first 2-3 hours after the procedure. This time is necessary for a strong blood clot to form in the socket of the extracted tooth - a natural "biological dressing" that protects the open wound from bacteria, food and external irritants, such as inflammation around the wisdom tooth or gum inflammation around the wisdom tooth.

You can start drinking no earlier than 3-4 hours later, provided that the bleeding has stopped and you feel stable.

What can I drink?

After procedures such as wisdom tooth removal from below, impacted wisdom tooth removal, or even wisdom tooth hood removal, it is important to follow not only dietary recommendations, but also drinking recommendations. Properly selected drinks will help speed up healing, prevent wisdom tooth gum inflammation, and maintain overall well-being.

• Cool, clean water is the best option to start with. Non-carbonated, without additives or sweeteners. Ideally, slightly cool, at room temperature.
• Herbal infusions - chamomile, sage, calendula. These plants have a mild antiseptic and soothing effect, do not irritate the mucous membrane and promote healing. But only without sugar and must be strained.
• Weak green or black tea - provided that it is not hot. The tannins contained in tea can even slightly reduce inflammation.
• Homemade compotes and fruit drinks without sugar - after 2-3 days, when the wound begins to heal.
• Still mineral water — helps to replenish electrolyte balance, especially in hot weather.
• Carbonated drinks — even slightly fizzy ones. They irritate the mucous membrane and can literally “explode” the clot in the socket.
• Alcohol — dilates blood vessels, increases blood pressure, disrupts blood clotting and interferes with healing.
• Highly acidic juices (orange, pineapple, pomegranate) — are aggressive towards the mucous membrane, can cause a burning sensation.
• Milkshakes — especially sweet and thick ones. They are sticky and can remain in the wound.
• Very hot drinks — increase bleeding, cause swelling and slow down healing.
• No straws! Using a straw creates a vacuum that can pull the clot out of the socket, which can lead to a complication called dry socket.
• No sharp gulps or large volumes at a time. Drink in small sips, calmly, without rushing.
• Do not rinse your mouth vigorously immediately after drinking. If you want to freshen up, you can simply rinse your mouth gently with cool water, taking a little and letting it flow out on its own, without effort.

What should you not drink?

• Carbonated drinks — even slightly fizzy ones. They irritate the mucous membrane and can literally “explode” the clot in the socket.
• Alcohol — dilates blood vessels, increases blood pressure, disrupts blood clotting and interferes with healing.
• Highly acidic juices (orange, pineapple, pomegranate) — are aggressive towards the mucous membrane, can cause a burning sensation.
• Milkshakes — especially sweet and thick ones. They are sticky and can remain in the wound.
• Very hot drinks — increase bleeding, cause swelling and slow down healing.

How to drink properly?

If the wisdom tooth removal surgery was performed in a hot climate, such as Dubai, maintaining a drinking regimen becomes even more important. High air temperatures accelerate fluid loss through sweat, breath, and skin. Even without feeling particularly thirsty, the body can become dehydrated quickly — especially within the first 24 hours after procedures like the removal of retained wisdom tooth or extraction of the upper wisdom tooth.

To avoid dizziness, weakness and complications such as inflammation after wisdom tooth extraction, you need to drink often and in small portions - every 30-60 minutes. Cool water or herbal infusion is best. Carbonated drinks, coffee and juices with sugar are prohibited: they can irritate the mucous membrane and worsen the condition. This is especially important after the removal of the hood of the wisdom tooth, when the tissues are especially sensitive to temperature changes and chemical exposure.

Features of nutrition with sutures

If sutures are applied after the removal of a wisdom tooth (usually absorbable ones), it is important not to allow food to get into the incision area. Food particles can get stuck, cause suppuration or lead to suture divergence. It is recommended to rinse your mouth thoroughly (but not vigorously!) after each meal.

The following are suitable for rinsing:

• Chlorhexidine solution (as prescribed by a doctor).
• Chamomile or sage decoction.
• A solution of salt and soda (1/2 teaspoon per glass of water).

Tips from Factor Smile in Dubai

1. Prepare food in advance. After the surgery, you won’t want to stand at the stove, so it’s better to stock up on soft foods and frozen soups or purees.
2. Monitor the temperature of your food. Warm food is comfortable for the body and does not injure tissues.
3. Don’t ignore your body’s signals. If the pain intensifies, you have a fever or purulent plaque, see a dentist immediately.
4. Eat small portions 4–5 times a day. This improves digestion and reduces the load on the damaged area.

When can I return to my normal diet?

On average, complete healing after wisdom tooth extraction takes 7–10 days, unless complications such as wisdom tooth gum inflammation, periodontitis, or wisdom tooth granuloma have arisen. However, the time frame may vary depending on the complexity of the surgery – whether it is an upper wisdom tooth extraction, an impacted lower wisdom tooth extraction or an impacted wisdom tooth extraction.

Take care of your health and do not put off taking care of yourself – the specialists at the Factor Smile Clinic in Dubai are always ready to support you at every stage of recovery. Book a consultation and we will help you navigate the path after wisdom tooth extraction easily, safely and without stress.

 

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