What to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
If you are wondering if you can eat rice or not, then the answer is yes. You can eat rice even before wisdom teeth removal. However, it is advised that you wait at least 24 hours after wisdom teeth removal before eating anything else. If you have any doubts about whether your mouth will accept certain foods, consult with a dentist first. Some dentists recommend waiting up to 48 hours after wisdom teeth removal before eating anything else.
After wisdom teeth removal, you may experience some discomfort. Your gums might bleed profusely during the night time period.
Also, you might feel pain in your jaw area when chewing food. These symptoms usually subside within a few days and do not require medical attention. However, if they persist for longer than 7 days, then seek immediate medical assistance immediately.
Wisdom teeth removal is a very painful procedure. It requires strict adherence to good dental hygiene.
Always follow the instructions given by your dentist and never ignore them! Good dental hygiene habits can also help you prevent tooth decay and other issues in the future.
What To Do After Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you are wondering what to do after wisdom teeth removal, then the first thing you need to do is to rest. Avoid strenuous activity for at least four days.
Try to keep your head elevated while lying down or sitting back on a chair. Elevating your head can help relieve some pain and swelling around your jaw area.
There is a chance that some blood may seep through the gauze or tissue. Never remove this gauze!
This is to ensure the area stays sterile. You will need to visit your dentist again to have the gauze removed. If you open up your wound, there is a chance of developing an infection.
If you are not confident enough with having someone else drive, then it might be a good idea not to drive for 24 hours after surgery. Letting someone else drive you home after surgery is also a good idea.
This will ensure that anyone who is unfamiliar with the place will not get lost or distracted while driving.
Do not chew on the side where the wisdom tooth was removed. This can lead to complications especially if your jaw begins to swell.
If you feel like chewing on both sides is too hard, then stick to soft foods until the swelling subsides.
What Not to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you are wondering what not to eat after wisdom teeth removal, then the answer is simple! You should not eat raw vegetables, hard objects, and carbonated beverages for at least two weeks.
Why?
This is to ensure that you do not risk damaging your gums or jawbone in any way. It will also give your jaw time to heal and recover from the swelling and pain.
You can eat a light meal of toast, crackers, or mashed potatoes. Avoid anything that is too hard or chewy as this can damage your gums.
Your jaw may be very tender after wisdom teeth removal so go easy during the first few days! If you have an ice cream craving, then frozen bananas can help alleviate it.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to what not to eat after wisdom teeth removal is: if you would not chew on aluminum foil, then you should not chew on it after your surgery either!
Wisdom Teeth Removal and Your Diet
It is important to pay attention to what you eat after getting your wisdom teeth removed. This is because your jaw is going to be in a lot of pain and you will probably not be able to chew your food properly.
You will need to eat a soft and easy to digest diet for at least two weeks after your surgery. Some people find that they are only able to eat soft foods for up to three weeks after their surgery.
A good rule of thumb is if you can chew it easily without any resistance, then you should avoid it. Some foods that you should avoid are:
Hard or crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, celery, and raw potatoes.
Hard or crunchy food, such as nuts, pretzels, popcorn, and crackers.
Foods that are sticky, such as jam or jelly.
Foods that are spicy.
Any food that has a strong odor or taste.
If you feel like you are going to cough or choke when eating a certain food, then you should avoid it at all costs. Coughing and choking can cause damage to your surgery area and this is the last thing that you want.
Always listen to your body and only eat what feels right for you.
How to Prepare for Wisdom Teeth Removal
Preparing for your wisdom teeth removal is far more important than some people realize. If you fail to prepare yourself properly, then there is a good chance that you will not get the best results from your surgery.
Preparation also lessens the amount of pain that you will feel after your surgery and can also speed up the recovery time.
There are many things that you can do in order to prepare yourself, such as:
Gently cleaning your teeth and mouth with warm saltwater
Rinsing your mouth with an over-the-counter anesthetic, such as Oravera
Keeping your hands out of your mouth after your surgery
Taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol. Never exceed the recommended dosage.
Eating a soft and easy-to-digest diet for the first two days after your surgery
Pain Medication After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Pain medication after wisdom teeth removal is one of the most important aspects of post-surgical care. Not only will it reduce or eliminate any pain that you experience, but it can also speed up the healing process and lower your risk of infection.
Be sure to follow the guidelines set out by your doctor or dentist. There are many different types of pain medication available and your doctor will help you determine which one is best for you.
Pain medication after wisdom teeth removal can be classified into two main groups: non-narcotic and narcotic. Non-narcotic pain medication does not contain any opium or derivatives of it, such as codeine.
These drugs act by reducing the sensations of pain to a more manageable level. They include the likes of Tylenol and Advil. Narcotic pain medication, on the other hand, does contain opium and its derivatives. These drugs are more powerful than their non-narcotic counterparts; they also carry a risk of becoming dependent upon them.
It is very important that you take only the pain medication that your dentist or doctor has recommended. This is because taking extra pain medication can cause problems such as respiratory depression, which is when breathing becomes dangerously shallow.
If you find that the pain is becoming unbearable, tell your doctor immediately. It might be necessary to alter your pain medication regiment.
Managing Your Diet After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After your surgery it is best to eat a soft, easy-to-digest diet. Foods such as pasta, batter, and eggs are very soft and easy to digest.
Dairy products, such as milk and soft cheese are also good foods to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. Avoid crunchy, hard foods such as chips because they increase your risk of bleeding and swelling after your surgery.
How Long Does it Take to Recover After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
The length of time that it takes you to recover after having your wisdom teeth removed will vary from person to person. For some people, the healing process is very quick and they will feel better in a few days. However, for most people it takes around one to two weeks to feel back to their normal selves. If you have a job that requires you to work, then it is best that you take at least a week off after your surgery so that your body can recover properly.
After you have had your surgery, try to get a good night’s sleep. This is because the healing process is at its peak while you are sleeping.
If you are not at work or in school, try to rest as much as possible so that your body can heal itself.
Managing Your Pain After Wisdom Teeth Removal
After having your wisdom teeth removed, you will experience some degree of pain. You can manage this pain by taking regular doses of the pain medication prescribed to you.
Be sure to only take the medication as directed and do not exceed the dosage. If the pain becomes unbearable, do not hesitate to tell your doctor; he or she will then be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller.
Managing Your Diet After Wisdom Teeth Removal
It is best to eat a soft and easy-to-digest diet after having your wisdom teeth removed. Some examples of soft foods that you can eat are pasta, batter, and eggs.
Hard foods such as chips should be avoided because they can cause bleeding and swelling.
When Can I Go Back to School or Work?
If you have a desk job, then it is safe for you to go back to work the day after your surgery. If your job involves physical labor, then you should wait until your surgeon gives you the all-clear. It is best that you take at least one week off from work or school so that your body has enough time to heal and rest.
When Can I Exercise and Do All My Regular Activities?
The effects of anesthesia and pain medication can last up to 48 hours, so it is best that you do not drive and do anything that requires you to be alert or require focus the day of your surgery. Ask someone to pick you up after the procedure if possible.
You should be able to return to all your regular activities after two weeks. However, don’t forget to take it easy for a few days.
Tips to Speed Up the Healing Process
Keep your head elevated when you’re sitting up or lying down. Doing this will prevent excess blood from going into your mouth, which can cause swelling.
Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, as this can reduce swelling and speed up the healing process.
Apply an ice pack on your jaw. This can also help reduce swelling.
Take the antibiotics prescribed to you to help prevent an infection.
Take pain medication as needed.
When Can I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
The best time to have your wisdom teeth removed is when all your adult teeth have already grown in. If you had your wisdom teeth growing inside your gums and they started causing problems, such as damage to the tooth or affecting your ability to bite, then you need to have them removed immediately. However, if you are experiencing no major problems with your wisdom teeth, then you can always have them removed when you are older.
Is There Any Reason Not to Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
There is no exact age where it is too late to have your wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth can be safely and successfully removed at any age.
In fact, most people do not have any issues after having their wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom teeth that do not grow in or cause issues typically only need to be removed when you reach your senior years.
At this age, the bone around your wisdom teeth becomes weaker and there is a higher chance of complications occurring from the procedure.
However, if you are in good health and don’t have any medical issues that may complicate the procedure, then there is no reason why you cannot have your wisdom teeth removed. If you are unsure as to whether or not you need to have your wisdom teeth removed, ask your dentist or doctor if you should have the procedure done or not.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost
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How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
The cost of getting your wisdom teeth removed will depend on where you live, the type of facility where the procedure is done, and whether or not your insurance covers the expense. The average cost of having your wisdom teeth removed is $1,000 to $2,000 for the operation and $200 for dental work to repair damage caused by your impacted wisdom teeth.
How to Find Affordable Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Since wisdom teeth removal can be quite costly, you want to make sure you find an affordable dentist or facility that has a good reputation. Here are some steps you can follow to find a cheap wisdom teeth removal:
Contact a local university. Many times, there is a dental school near your location that offers the same quality of work but at a much lower price.
See if you are eligible for any discount programs. Ask your employer, join a community health program or inquire about any discount dental plans your family may be eligible for.
Check with local dentists and ask for their wisdom teeth removal price list. Find out if they offer payment plans for those who need it.
Ask your friends and family if they know of any cheap dentists. Word of mouth can help save you time and money.
Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal vs. Cost of Tooth Loss
While wisdom teeth removal can be expensive, it is much cheaper than the alternative which is losing your teeth. Even with insurance, a tooth extraction and dental work is very expensive.
Dental implants, a common solution to missing teeth, can cost upwards of $5,000.
Wisdom teeth removal is a lot less expensive and, depending on the type of job you have, may be paid for by your employer. Quite frankly, there is little price comparison when it comes to wisdom tooth removal and the cost of losing your teeth.
Sources & references used in this article:
Factors predisposing to postoperative complications related to wisdom tooth surgery among university students by A Muhonen, I Ventä… – Journal of American …, 1997 – Taylor & Francis
Day of Surgery: What to Expect by M Burhenne – askthedentist.com
Foods to Eat and Avoid After a Tooth Extraction by C Sebold – emedihealth.com
Third molar surgery—a preliminary report on aspects affecting quality of life in the early postoperative period by J Savin, GR Ogden – British journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 1997 – Elsevier
WISDOM TEETH by J Erasmus – sasmfos.org
Interventions for treating asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth in adolescents and adults by DTG Mettes, MMEL Nienhuijs… – Cochrane Database …, 2005 – cochranelibrary.com
DOUBTFUL WISDOM by AS Lead, L Ad – Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 2010 – researchgate.net
Determining the quality of life after removing of impacted lower wisdom tooth using the principal component analysis method by M Matijević, Z Užarević, Z Ivanišević… – Collegium …, 2014 – hrcak.srce.hr
