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How soon can I eat solid food after wisdom tooth removal?

92 replies

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 11:50

Having it out tomorrow. Utterly terrified. Anyone know how long before you can eat?

OP posts:
BindyCeale · 07/09/2023 17:20

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 17:20

Thanks everyone, reading all this really does help! My stomach is still rolling though 😆😫

What time is your appointment?

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 17:22

11 tomorrow… so too late to cancel 😭😆

OP posts:
cansu · 07/09/2023 17:30

I stuck to liquid or easy to eat food for the first couple of days - soup, yoghurts, mash potato. Then moved to more normal stuff but chewed them on the other side of my mouth. I think it can vary so much. The wisdom tooth was less awful than a molar I had removed. It depends on how much force is needed to get it out I think. I did take painkillers more on a schedule to keep pain at bay. I alternated co codemol and ibuprofen at first and then moved to paracetamol and ibuprofen after the first three days. I would say that after a week, I felt little pain and after a fortnight I had forgotten about it.

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BindyCeale · 07/09/2023 18:45

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 17:22

11 tomorrow… so too late to cancel 😭😆

I will be thinking of you. By midday it will be over and you will feel such relief. Good luck.

MontyCCU · 07/09/2023 18:55

Go and get it done OP. You don't want to leave that tooth there. Think about the long term benefits of getting it dealt with. It won't cause you hassle or cause pain when you least need it - when going on holidays for example. Just get it dealt with and crossed off your list. The dentist will have done this many times. You are in good hands.

Puffwiththegreeneyes · 07/09/2023 18:57

I had my first (and only) tooth out last year. Prior to that I'd never had any dental work. My teeth have 3 roots, instead of 2 so the extraction took longer than expected, however the numbing injections were the most painful part of the whole thing and I ate a normal dinner that evening, having had my tooth out at 1.30.

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 20:46

Thanks again… I’m really bricking it! I can’t actually believe how anxious I am about it. I’m trying to tell myself that I’m being ridiculous but that’s not stopping the butterflies and pounding heart 😰

OP posts:
AlisonDonut · 07/09/2023 20:49

I had one taken out and then skipped home and was eating that evening.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

AliMonkey · 07/09/2023 21:06

I had all four out of once. Within an hour I was breastfeeding whilst eating a tuna sandwich. Eating completely normally within 48 hours. Not everyone is so lucky but you could be, it may be much better than you expect.

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 21:08

Those of you who had four out at once… you are so brave! How pathetic do I sound right now?! 😂

I made the mistake of googling and it was pure horror stories so I thank you for sharing the positive ones that are never heard about ❤️

OP posts:
Catsservant · 07/09/2023 21:36

Make sure you eat before your appointment as the local anaesthetic has adrenaline in which can make you feel faint. They will go through post op instructions with you- no smoking or vaping, alcohol and vigorous exercise for 24 hours after, no rinsing or spitting as well and brush away from the socket. After 24 hours do a hot salt water mouth wash after every meal. If any pain gets progressively worse after that contact your dentist in case it’s a dry socket ( pain worse than any toothache )

Catsservant · 07/09/2023 21:38

Also soft type food for the next few days after that. Wait until your local anaesthetic has worn off before eating and drinking anything hot.

cansu · 07/09/2023 21:40

An ice pack is also helpful. I used one regularly for the first day. Dentist also used a kind of spray which numbed my mouth so I didn't feel the numbing needle pain.

atelli · 07/09/2023 21:44

My main advice- Do not use a straw afterwards!!

I was using a straw after for all my drinks (not realise virtually everywhere tells you not to, except the leaflet I was given :( ) I ended up with a dry socket.

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 21:50

This is all so helpful, thank you 🙏

I’m now freaking myself out over the local anaesthetic.. the numbness. I hate that loss of control feeling. Ahh, I need to stop thinking about it. Don’t think I’ll be sleeping tonight

OP posts:
martinisforeveryone · 07/09/2023 22:03

@BishopBrennansArseHole please don't worry yourself too much. I was a wreck before having a wisdom tooth out recently. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I anticipated and after sitting in the waiting room afterwards for 10 minutes, I drove half an hour home.

I'd say that afterwards it felt more strange than painful. A good tip is to dissolve some ordinary fine cooking salt in warm water and rinse around your mouth once a day while the healing process takes place. Also get a very soft bristle toothbrush for cleaning around that area to start with.

Lovemusic82 · 07/09/2023 22:05

I had 8 out at the same time (under GA) including 4 wisdom teeth, one of which was impacted and needed bone scraping and then stitches. I ate soft food the evening after and then solid food the next day.

Loopyloooooo · 07/09/2023 22:08

Just want to reassure you...I had a really badly impacted one out a few years a go. It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. I'd got myself in a right state about it before I went but it honestly wasn't too bad..I could've kissed the dentist afterwards. Stop googling horror stories would be my advice xx

QuestionableMouse · 07/09/2023 22:14

I had a burger the same night (Probably five or six hours later) before the numbing had totally worn off but really struggled the next few days because I could hardly open my mouth!

Did they tell you that you might end up with stitches? I had a few and they were fine if annoying at times!

Had three out on Aug 10th and I'm 99% healed now - it was honestly fine. Just keep on top of your pain relief and have some ice packs ready to help with any swelling.

CantThinkOfANewUsernameAgain · 07/09/2023 22:16

Mine is exactly the same. Has broken /rotted away where so impacted. Im awaiting an appointment for it to be removed under GA.

I had the it her side done 17 years ago And I don't remember it being awful.
I remember eating pot noodles for 2 days and milkshakes.
By day 3 I had pizza and chips

QuestionableMouse · 07/09/2023 22:19

I also had "long and complicated roots" so that didn't help.

Mine also oozed a bit for the first night which is fine apparently but my dentist didn't warn me so it kinda freaked me out!

I used a sports bottle of r the first few days because I could sort of pour the water into my mouth which was easier than trying to drink normally.

Honestly I was dreading it but apart from waiting for ages to go in, it was fine!

userxx · 07/09/2023 22:19

I'd heard all the horror stories and assumed I'd lose a load of weight from not being able to eat, nope, I was straight to McDonald's drive thru on the way home.

goingtotown · 07/09/2023 22:37

BishopBrennansArseHole · 07/09/2023 12:53

Thank you. I know I’ll be so relieved to not have it hanging over me any more, but I can feel my heart racing a million miles an hour just thinking about it

I had a wisdom tooth removed, didn't feel anything, a bit tender for 24 hours.
I took a couple of painkillers as I left the dentist, & another. two before bed.I ate tinned rice custard & Weetabix.

AppleBlueBerryPie · 07/09/2023 23:16

Upper vs lower teeth make a massive difference. Upper wisdom teeth are a walk in the park and you bounce back within a few days. Lower ones are slightly trickier because there's a larger wound area which increases the chances of infection. However if you are only having one side out, you can definitely chew with the other side and that makes it much easier to get back onto solid food.

I had both lowers out at the same time in a pretty rough extraction (bone removal, deep roots). The worst bit was actually fatigue and flu-like symptoms like fever, chills and headache, particularly on the second night. It was definitely not an infection as I was taking prophylactic antibiotics during that time but it felt more like a reaction from your body trying to patch up the damage. The pain was entirely manageable with ibuprofen and paracetamol.

Another really vital tip is to stay on top your fibre intake. During one of my upper wisdom teeth removals I took liquid diet too literally and ended up with the worst constipation of my life. Eat (room temp) soup made from pureed whole veg or baked sweet potatoes, pureed soft pears, strawberry smoothies, fresh orange juice etc. After a few days you can move onto mashed potatoes, baked beans, Weetabix etc. Avoid only eating yoghurt, jelly, ice cream or clear soups.

Another life hack is to look in the baby/toddler food section for melty puff or rice cracker type snacks. There are some surprisingly delicious ones like corn puffs or Kiddylicious crackers. Anything that melts in your mouth is ideal.

TheWayofBeing · 07/09/2023 23:39

You'll be fine. I pass out at blood and surgeries etc really badly. Managed a tooth extraction with ease and it was fine after about 4 days.

The injection is a sharp scratch and a weird crunchy feeling but not painful really. After that it's just movement not pain.

(I did not manage the 16 needles I needed for my frenulectomy - passed out and punched the nurse while flailing) so at last you sewing too that!