How Long After Wisdom Tooth Extraction Can You Start Eating Solid Foods (Pizza, Sandwiches Etc)?

It is recommended you wait approximately 48 hours after wisdom teeth extraction prior to eating foods such as Pizza and sandwiches.  It is preferred that  you stick to foods like jello, ice cream, mashed potatos, soup and juices.  After the 48 hours has passed and you start to consume more solid foods, I recommend you gently irrigate the extractrion sites with saline rinse (salt water) after each meal to keep the area clean.  This prevents infections from developing.  Your Oral Surgeon or Dentist will give you a syringe to help you with the oral hygiene maintenence at home.

As far as your concern regarding dislodging the clot.  This is a very valid concern. Breaking the clot can lead to a dry socket which can be very painful and need a visit to your dentists office so that they can apply a dressing to help sooth the area and help in developing a new clot.  The way you can avoid breaking the clot is by avoiding actions which require sucking and spitting, such as: sucking drinks through a straw and smoking and try to avoid spitting as well.  By avoiding these actions for the first 48 hours, you greatly reduce the risk of breaking the clot and developing a dry socket.

With regards to the irritating stitches, the solution is simple.  Just go to your dentist or oral surgeon and have them trim the longer pieces of the stitches that are rubbing against your cheek. This will make it more comfortable.

 

Good luck!!

Dr. Parnaz Aurasteh

Hi Breanne!  Wisdom teeth are difficult extractions and it takes time for them to heal....you seem to be handling it well and you are worried that what you eat may dislodge the clot and then you will have horrible pain.  I would suggest that for five days you follow through with puddings, yogurt, soups, milk shakes and ice cream. I know that you are concerned about the clot coming out and that is understandable because it is very painful!  You mentioned that the stitches are rubbing horribly on the inside of your cheek.  I would use warm salt water and flush or irrigate your mouth and stitches and the pain will be less and also they will heal faster!  Just follow along and things will be fine . DO NOT Spit or Smoke because this will dislodge the plug and that is extremely painful.  Just take it slowly and you will be fine!

It is good you are caring for the wound. This allows good healing with the least discomfort. It is unlikely for a blood clot to dislodge after 5 days. However, hard food can break stitches. Consult with your dentist. Good luck.