Can you eat after wisdom teeth removal if still bleeding

Jun 01, 2020

Table of Contents Show

2 Weeks Later
Foods to Avoid
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
How We Prepare You for Recovery
Why Will Your Diet Be Restricted After the Procedure?
What Can You Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Foods to Avoid After Surgery
Do Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Can I eat if my tooth extraction is still bleeding?
How long should bleeding last after wisdom?

A tooth extraction involves complete removal of a tooth from its socket, leaving behind a gap. There are several reasons as to why you may have your tooth/teeth extracted which range from tooth decay, to overcrowding or even having impacted wisdom teeth. Whatever the reason for undergoing the procedure is, it is important to have the right care instructions to avoid complication and promote quick healing.

A top concern for most people after having a tooth removed is what to eat and when. Usually, your dentist will provide you with instructions of what to do depending on the position where the tooth was extracted and the technique used in extraction. The set of instructions should take you through the next couple of days following treatment, until the time where you are healed enough to carry on with your regular life without any worries.

Days 1-3

Immediately after an extraction, and in the few days following, the primary focus is usually to allow a blood clot to form on the site of extraction. You should experience low to no bleeding in the first 24 hours but in case there is active bleeding, make sure to reach out to your dentist asap.

Depending on the intrusiveness of the procedure, you may be allowed to start on liquid foods a few hours after a tooth extraction. Foods like ice-cream, soups, pudding, yogurt and cereal are okay. Completely avoid using a straw as the suction it creates can dislodge the clot covering your wound, leading to pain and bleeding which further delays healing. Rinsing, swishing, gurgling and spitting should also be avoided for the same reasons.

If by the second day there is less tenderness on site of extraction, you can begin to incorporate solid foods that do not necessarily require a lot of chewing. Within this period, you should not consume alcohol or smoke. Take any medications prescribed to you and have plenty of rest.

Days 3-10

By now a clot will have properly formed on the extraction site. Aftercare involves keeping the clot in place and preventing any infection to the area. You can now perform saline rinses to kill any bacteria in the mouth that may cause infections. You can now begin to brush and floss like usual but while paying extra attention not to disturb the extraction site. For the areas you cannot brush or floss, a mouthwash or saline solution will do for the meantime.

When it comes to your diet, you will continue eating soft foods that are less likely to be trapped in the empty tooth socket. You can now eat foods with a thicket consistency like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, avocadoes, bananas, hummus and even salmon.

2 Weeks Later

Two weeks after the procedure, most people feel well enough to go back to their normal diet. Provided there was no complication you can resume eating more solid foods. You can also resume activities like exercise and sports. During your next dental appointment your dentist will also be able to start preparation to replace the extracted tooth/teeth.

Foods to Avoid

It is obvious that after a tooth extraction, whether simple or through surgery, you should avoid eating hard foods. But that is not all you should stay away from, spicy foods and foods that may get trapped on the empty socket can just be as bad. Spicy foods can cause pain and irritation while crunchy and crumbly foods or seeds and grains can get into the empty socket and disrupt the healing process. Foods that need a lot of chewing are also not goods as there is risk of biting yourself, especially when the anesthesia is yet to completely wear off. Lastly, alcohol and cigarette are a no-go to after any dental procedure.

At Starry Dental, our Westwood dentist uses a personalized approach for every patient to ensure a pleasant dental experience. We will only recommend a tooth extraction if it is the best chance you have at ensuring good dental health. The dentist and staff are friendly and gentle while providing effective and quality tooth extraction treatments.

At the Maryland Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common procedures we offer. It is rare for wisdom teeth to erupt fully and be healthy. And removing them is the effective option for your oral health.

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Wisdom teeth are third molars—the final teeth that grow as you approach adulthood. Healthy third molars emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. But if, like most people, you do not have enough space in the back of your mouth for more teeth, wisdom teeth present a variety of issues as they grow:

Angled or sideways growth resulting in impaction
Infection
Pushing or pressure on other teeth
Crowding and misalignment
Cysts or tumors in your jaw

Removing wisdom teeth can help you keep all your teeth in alignment and maintain good oral health.

How We Prepare You for Recovery

Our surgical team will spend time with you before your procedure to ensure you know what to expect. After wisdom teeth removal, we will do the following:

Provide you with prescriptions for pain medication and, depending on your needs, antibiotics
Ensure you have gauze and other materials to increase your comfort and ease your recovery
Give you post-operative care instructions, including reminders about foods to eat and foods to avoid

Why Will Your Diet Be Restricted After the Procedure?

Most patients recover within a few days of wisdom teeth removal, but what you eat in the initial phase can ensure a successful outcome. A temporary change in diet after wisdom tooth removal protects the surgical sites and supports the healing process.

Keeps the surgical site clear – Without a diet change, hard, crunchy, or sticky foods can enter the surgical sites, cause uncontrolled bleeding, or damage surrounding tissue.
Prevents dry socket – If a blood clot dislodges before the site heals, bone and nerves are exposed. Dry socket causes intense pain in the surgical site and the nerves alongside your face.
Minimizes jaw pain – Chewing exercises your jawbone and the surrounding muscles. You can prevent additional pain and soreness by following a restricted diet and letting your jaw rest.

Immediately after wisdom teeth removal, we will place gauze over the surgical sites and apply just enough pressure to promote clotting. After 45 minutes to an hour, you can remove the gauze to eat or drink.

What Can You Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

After wisdom teeth removal, you can eat soft, easy-to-chew foods that are room temperature or cold but not icy. Try to think less about the consistency of the food and more about how much chewing it involves. For example, pancakes are super-soft, but you will probably have to chew them extensively. And excessive chewing can irritate the surgical sites or dislodge a blood clot.

On the day of surgery and for the next day or two, you may eat:

Applesauce
Gelatin
Hummus
Ice cream
Pudding
Smoothies
Thin soup or broth
Yogurt

Within a few days, healing usually progresses enough to add other foods back into your diet gradually.

Avocado
Beans
Oatmeal
Mashed potatoes
Scrambled eggs
Squash
Sweet potatoes
Softer pasta (e.g., macaroni, orzo, spaghetti)
Finely sliced and cut meats or fish

Reminders:

Chew toward the front of your mouth—away from the extraction sites.
Drink without a straw because sucking through it can dislodge blood clots.
Feel free to ask our staff if a meal you would like to eat is a good option after surgery.
While your diet is limited, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Foods to Avoid After Surgery

Some foods can irritate the surgical site and disrupt the healing process.

Avoid these foods after wisdom teeth surgery:

Chewy foods – It takes more time to consume chewy foods. In the process, you can irritate the surgical sites.
Crunchy foods – Apples, pears, chips, cookies, nuts—even uncooked vegetables like carrots or celery—can get stuck in the wound area, irritate it, and delay healing.
Spicy foods – It is challenging to keep spicy foods isolated to one area in your mouth. As you eat, saliva distributes spiciness throughout your mouth and can irritate or burn the surgical sites.
Grains and seeds – Tiny pieces of grain and seeds can enter the wound, irritate it, and cause infection.
Alcoholic beverages – Consuming beer, wine, or other alcoholic drinks while you take pain medication can damage your liver, result in overdose, and impair function.
Hot or icy cold foods – Extremes in temperature can irritate the surgical sites and cause sensitivity.

Do Your Wisdom Teeth Need to Be Removed?

Even if you do not feel pain or discomfort, problems with your wisdom teeth might be lurking beneath the surface. If you live in the Baltimore area, request a consultation or exam at the Maryland Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants. We have offices near Owings Mills, Hunt Valley, and Bel Air.

Can I eat if my tooth extraction is still bleeding?

After a tooth extraction, eat only soft or liquid form foods for at least the first 24 hours following the surgery. Do not vigorously chew anything. Avoid hard or crunchy foods that can further traumatize the extraction site and cause further bleeding. Do not consume hot liquids as they will dissolve the blood clot.

How long should bleeding last after wisdom?

Your bleeding should stop within 4 hours after surgery. Oozing and episodes of occasional bleeding may occur for up to 1–2 weeks, and you should not be alarmed. Usually, simple pressure with a wet, rolled gauze pad over the extraction site will stop the bleeding when applied for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.