This is one of the most practical questions patients ask me before wisdom teeth surgery. I’m Dr. Emily Nguyen, Principal Dentist at Picasso Dental Clinic, and I want to give you a clear eating guide based on what actually works for recovery.
The First 24 Hours: Cold and Soft Only
Right after surgery, your mouth needs gentle care. I recommend cold foods because they help reduce swelling and provide natural pain relief. Greek yogurt, protein smoothies (no straws!), applesauce, and pudding are perfect choices. Ice cream is fine too, though avoid flavors with nuts or candy pieces.
What I tell patients at our Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City clinics is to think “spoon foods only” for this first day. If you need to chew it, wait. The extraction sites are fresh wounds, and any pressure can disrupt the blood clots forming there.
Skip straws completely. The suction can dislodge blood clots and cause dry socket, a painful complication I see when patients don’t follow this rule.
Days Two to Seven: Expanding Your Options
Once you’re past the first day, you can add lukewarm and room temperature soft foods. Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed sweet potatoes, and well cooked pasta work well. Bone broth provides nutrition and comfort without requiring chewing.
I’ve found that patients who prepare meals ahead of time recover more comfortably. At Picasso Dental Clinic, we serve patients from 65 nationalities, so I’ve learned about soft food options from many cultures. Congee, polenta, soft tofu dishes, and cream based soups are all excellent choices.
Avoid acidic foods like tomato sauce or citrus during this week. They can irritate the surgical sites and cause stinging pain.
Week Two and Beyond: Gradual Return to Normal
After seven to ten days, most patients at our Da Lat and other clinics can start reintroducing regular foods. Begin with softer proteins like fish, ground meat, and tender chicken. Cooked vegetables are fine, but raw crunchy vegetables should wait another week.
The timeline varies by person. Some heal faster, others need more time. Pay attention to your body. If eating something causes pain, switch back to softer options for a few more days.
Foods to Avoid Completely During Healing
Certain foods can seriously disrupt healing. Popcorn kernels, nuts, seeds, and chips can lodge in extraction sites and cause infections. Sticky foods like caramel or chewy bread can pull at stitches. Spicy foods may cause unnecessary irritation.
In my decade at Picasso Dental Clinic, the patients who skip these problematic foods heal without complications. The patients who test the limits often end up back in my chair with preventable issues.
If you have questions about your specific recovery or want personalized guidance, I’m available at any of our clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Lat.
