Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 6 minutes
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure for young adults. This is because the wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, often do not have enough space to properly erupt and can cause pain, infection, and other dental issues if not removed.
If your teen is scheduled for wisdom tooth removal, you’re probably wondering what they will be able to eat after surgery. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
In this blog, we give you 50 soft food ideas and a sample meal to help guide you and your teen through the post-surgery recovery process.
Table of Contents
Why is Soft Food Important After Wisdom Tooth Removal?
After wisdom tooth removal, the mouth and jaw can be sore and sensitive. Eating hard or crunchy foods can cause pain, irritation, and even damage to the surgical site. So it’s important to stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow.
Soft foods help to prevent food particles from getting stuck in the healing socket, which can lead to infection. They also provide the necessary nutrients for healing and can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Foods to avoid:
- Hard or crunchy foods like chips, nuts, and raw vegetables
- Sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum
- Spicy or acidic foods that may irritate the surgical site
- Hot foods
- Foods with small seeds
Soft Foods Ideal for the First Few Days
In the initial days after wisdom tooth removal, focus on very soft and easy-to-swallow foods.
Top 10 Soft Foods:
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Smoothies (without seeds or nuts)
- Broth-based or blended soups
- Scrambled eggs
- Pureed vegetables
- Soft bread
- Cottage cheese
Nutrient-Rich Foods to Support Recovery
A balanced diet can aid in faster healing. Include nutrient-rich soft foods that provide essential vitamins and minerals to support your teen’s recovery.
Protein Sources
- Soft tofu
- Ground chicken or turkey (finely minced)
- Soft fish (like tilapia or sole)
- Hummus
- Soft-cooked beans
Fruits and Vegetables
- Mashed bananas
- Avocado
- Steamed and mashed carrots
- Peach (peeled and pureed)
- Pear (peeled and pureed)
- Soft-cooked squash
Foods to Introduce in the Subsequent Week
As healing progresses, you can start introducing more variety. Gradually incorporate slightly firmer foods as the healing progresses.
Easing into normal foods:
- Soft pasta
- Macaroni and cheese
- Oatmeal
- Cream of wheat
- Pancakes (softened with syrup)
- Rice pudding
Additional Options to Keep Mealtime Interesting
Keep things interesting! Variety will keep your teen interested in eating and ensure they receive diverse nutrients. Here are additional soft food options:
- Milkshakes (without chunks) No straws! Serve it in a cup with a lid to make drinking easier.
- Protein smoothies. Use fruit without seeds like mango, nectarine, cherries, melon and sneak in some spinach or kale for added fiber.
- Soft scrambled eggs.
- Ice cream (without nuts or hard mix-ins). It can be tricky to brush and floss after wisdom teeth removal, so try to limit sugary foods. We don’t want any sugar sitting on those teeth!
- Soft-baked cookies (without hard edges) The healthier the better! Stick to low-sugar options with plenty of fiber.
- Muffins. Opt for high fiber options with sneaky pureed vegetables.
Comprehensive List of 50 Soft Foods
Here’s a comprehensive list of 50 soft foods that are suitable for your teen after wisdom tooth removal. Print out this list or take a screenshot to have it handy.
- Mashed butternut squash
- Baked apples (softened)
- Ricotta cheese with honey
- Silken tofu smoothies
- Vegetable broth with rice noodles
- Soft-poached eggs
- Mashed cauliflower
- Jello
- Pancakes
- Polenta with cheese
- Mashed chickpeas
- Ground beef, chicken or turkey
- Flaked salmon
- Baba ganoush
- Cooked and mashed pumpkin
- Stewed prunes
- Mashed papaya
- Soft-cooked zucchini
- Nectarine
- Mango
- Acorn squash (cooked and mashed)
- Egg noodles (soft cooked)
- Cheesy grits
- Cream of Wheat
- French toast
- Bread pudding
- Chocolate mousse
- Fruit smoothie bowls (ensure all fruits are soft and without seeds)
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Scrambled eggs with cheese
- Ice cream or iced popsicles
- Banana bread (without any nuts or hard pieces)
- Soft cooked pasta with tomato sauce
- Hard boiled eggs
- Vanilla pudding with banana slices
- Omelet with vegetables
- Sourdough bread (softened in soup)
- Creamy mushroom risotto
- Apple butter spread
- Mashed peas
- Roasted vegetables
- Perogies
- Steamed dumplings (with soft fillings)
- Fried rice
- Quinoa
- Shepherd’s pie
- Porridge oats soaked in apple juice
- Creamy barley soup
- Chicken and vegetable soup
- Pudding
To make things easier for you, we recommend making a week’s worth of meals beforehand and freezing them in individual portions. This will save you time and energy during the recovery process.
Sample Meal Ideas
Here’s a day’s worth of meal ideas to get you started:
- Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with cheese, mashed avocado on sourdough bread (crusts removed).
- Lunch: Cream of mushroom soup with soft-cooked pasta and pureed vegetables.
- Dinner: Chicken and vegetable stir-fry over quinoa.
- Snack ideas: Smoothies made with silken tofu or protein powder, banana, mango, and spinach. Mashed papaya with ricotta cheese drizzle. Vanilla pudding topped with stewed prunes.
A Reminder About Dry Socket
Dry socket, or alveolar osteitis, is a painful condition that can occur after wisdom teeth removal.
It develops when the blood clot that normally forms in the socket where the tooth was removed either dissolves or becomes dislodged, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.
This can lead to severe pain, delayed healing, and an increased risk of infection.
To reduce the risk of developing dry socket, avoid activities that can disturb the blood clot, such as using straws, smoking, or consuming hard or crunchy foods in the days following surgery.
If you suspect a dry socket, contact your dentist or surgeon right away.
If your teen had their surgery performed at our office, and you suspect they may have dry socket, contact us right away at (303) 953-8801 or on our emergency line at (303) 886-0699.
Denver Youth Dentistry – Your Partners in Oral Health
At Denver Youth Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of dental care for your teen.
If you have any questions or concerns about their recovery after wisdom teeth removal, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your family every step of the way.
In addition to post-surgery care, we also offer a wide range of comprehensive dental services for children and teenagers. From routine cleanings and check-ups to orthodontic treatment, we have your child’s oral health covered.
💡Did you know?
We accept Medicaid! We believe that all children deserve access to quality dental care, regardless of their family’s financial situation. If you have any questions about our services or insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your teen or ask about our pre-surgery preparation tips.
To book an appointment at any one of our locations, call (303) 953-8801 or complete the online inquiry form. We look forward to helping your family achieve healthy and happy smiles!
