WISDOM TEETH | PART TWO | HOME CARE FOR AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL 

Are you one of the 5 million people who’ve removed their wisdom teeth this year?  

Or perhaps you’re contemplating the removal of your wisdom teeth and want to know what the post-surgical process looks like. 

Whether you still feel woozy from the procedure, or you’re inquisitive about how long it’ll take to heal, let’s find out the home care for after wisdom teeth removal and what that may look like. 

HOME CARE FOR AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL 

Did you know dental surgery of wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common and with proper care can take up to 2 weeks for adequate healing and recovery? 

Thankfully there are some tried and true methods to support home care for after wisdom teeth removal. 

WHAT TO DO FOLLOWING SURGERY? 

Above all listen to your body and the advice your dentist or oral surgeon gives you. 

If any instructions are unclear, take the time to clarify them as soon as you can. 

Every patient is different, so please be gentle with yourself and don’t hesitate to follow up or seek medical attention with your concerns. 

WHAT TO EAT AFTER WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL? 

You’re home now, the numbing is wearing off, and you feel (and probably everyone around you can hear) a rumbling in your stomach. 

You want to eat, but gauze and blood just don’t mix very well with a cheeseburger. 

Post-surgery chewing (on crunchy, hard food) isn’t recommended for the first few days or so. 

Foods that are soft, liquid, or don’t require a lot of chewing can aid in healing: 

• Jello

• Apple sauce 

• Soup (yes, this is the time to let people who love you make you their soup)

• Noodles that are soft (this isn’t the time for al-dente) 

• Banana (mashed if you can tolerate it)

• Scrambled eggs 

• Cottage cheese

• Smoothies 

• Pudding 

• Mashed potatoes 

Tips when eating: 

• Avoid extreme temperatures 

• Ditch the straw or any excess liquid. This can disrupt the surgical site or dislodge a blood clot. 

• Keep nuts and seeds out of your mouth during this time. You don’t want one of them finding their way into any holes from the surgery. 

Tip: If surgery was only on one side of the mouth, you may be able to chew on the unaffected side after 24 hours. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR WISDOM TEETH TO HEAL? 

For some, recovery can take a couple days. 

For others—especially if teeth were impacted or just didn’t want to come out—it can take a full week or more. 

Infection can still occur even months after surgery, so vigilance of any pain or infection is crucial. 

Even though you may be able to resume normal life 24-hours after surgery (check with your dentist first), please be aware of activities that could disrupt the wound like: 

• Drinking through a straw

• Vigorous exercise

• Smoking or spitting 

• Brushing your teeth next to the wound 

• Chewing foods 

Wisdom teeth removal may not be one of the highlights in life, but it can help with overall and long-term health…and give those crowded teeth some room to breathe. 

With patience, vigilance, and compassion for the healing process—you should be ready for a juicy burger (or your choice of chewing indulgence) in no time! 

Need to find the right dentist for your wisdom teeth removal? 

We’d love to be part of that discussion! 

Contact Integrity Dental in Pueblo, CO today to get started.