Think you’re past the age for wisdom teeth drama? Not so fast. Problems like impaction or infection can show up later in life, making removal necessary even after 40. While the procedure itself is routine, healing as an adult is a different ballgame. Your recovery isn’t just about what you can eat; it’s about getting back to your life. A big question on your mind is likely, “how long should you wait to workout after wisdom teeth removal?” This guide gives you a clear, supportive roadmap for healing, covering everything from managing discomfort to knowing when to call your dentist.
Key Takeaways
- Plan for a Longer Recovery: Because your jawbone is denser and your body’s healing process is different now, expect your recovery to take more time than it would for a teenager. Give yourself permission to rest and don’t rush back into your normal routine.
- Follow Aftercare Instructions Diligently: Simple steps make a huge difference in your healing. Stick to soft foods, stay hydrated without using a straw, and prioritize rest to prevent complications and feel better faster.
- Know the Warning Signs: While some discomfort is normal, pain or swelling that gets worse after the third day is not. Trust your instincts and contact your dentist if something feels off—it’s always better to be safe.
Getting Your Wisdom Teeth Out After 40? Here’s What to Expect
If you’re over 40 and your dentist just brought up wisdom teeth removal, you might feel like you missed the boat. Isn’t that a procedure for teenagers? While it’s true that many people have their wisdom teeth out in their late teens or early twenties, it’s not uncommon to need the procedure later in life. The experience is a bit different for adults, and knowing what to expect can help you prepare for a smooth and successful recovery. The key is understanding how your body has changed and what that means for your procedure and healing process.
Your Mouth After 40: What’s Changed?
As we get older, our bodies change, and our mouths are no exception. These natural shifts can make wisdom tooth extraction more complex than it is for a younger person. For one, our jawbones become denser over time. This can make the teeth more difficult to remove, requiring a more involved procedure. On top of that, our bodies generally heal more slowly with age. While a teenager might bounce back in a week, your recovery will likely take a bit longer. Understanding these factors helps you set realistic expectations for your healing journey.
Why Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Out Now?
It’s a myth that wisdom teeth stop causing trouble after you hit a certain age. Problems can develop at any point. You might need a later-in-life extraction if a tooth becomes impacted, causing pain or crowding your other teeth. Sometimes, a wisdom tooth that was previously fine can develop a cavity or infection because its location at the back of the mouth makes it so difficult to clean properly. Cysts or tumors can also form around an impacted tooth. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial for your overall oral health, and our team is experienced in handling a wide range of dental services.
What Are the Risks for Patients Over 40?
Deciding to remove wisdom teeth after 40 requires careful consideration of the potential risks, which are higher for older adults. Because the tooth’s roots are fully developed, they can be longer and potentially entangled with nearby nerves, increasing the risk of nerve damage. The healing process is also more involved. You’ll face a greater chance of developing a painful condition called dry socket, and the overall recovery period can stretch from four to six weeks. This is why a thorough consultation is so important. An experienced surgeon can assess your specific situation and help you weigh the benefits against the risks. The right expert team will give you the confidence to make the best choice for your health.
Your Week-by-Week Recovery Guide
Recovering from wisdom tooth removal as an adult is a bit different than it is for a teenager, but it’s completely manageable with the right approach. Your body has a remarkable ability to heal, and knowing what to expect can make the process feel much smoother. Think of this as your road map for the next few weeks. We’ll walk through what’s normal, what to focus on, and how to know your healing is on the right track. Remember, everyone’s healing journey is unique, but this timeline gives you a great idea of what lies ahead.
Getting Through the First 48 Hours
Think of the first two days after your procedure as your dedicated rest period. Your main job is to take it easy and let your body begin the healing process. You’ll likely experience some swelling and discomfort, which is perfectly normal. We’ll provide you with a plan to manage any pain. During this time, stick to soft foods and liquids—think smoothies, yogurt, and lukewarm soups. It’s important to keep your mouth clean, but be very gentle. Avoid any vigorous rinsing or spitting to protect the surgical site. This initial phase is all about gentle care and giving yourself a break.
Week One: What to Expect as You Heal
The first week is when the most significant healing takes place. While a younger person might bounce back in a few days, it’s common for adults to need a bit more time. Don’t be surprised if your recovery feels more like a marathon than a sprint. During this week, you’ll likely see swelling and bruising start to fade, and any discomfort should gradually decrease. Continue with a soft-food diet and follow the specific oral hygiene instructions we give you. Patience is key here; listen to your body and don’t push yourself to do too much too soon.
Weeks 2-6: Getting Back to Your Routine
As you move into the second week and beyond, you’ll start to feel much more like yourself. Most people are well on their way to a full recovery within two to four weeks, though it can sometimes take up to six. You can slowly begin reintroducing firmer foods as you feel comfortable. While you might still have some minor tenderness, you should notice steady improvement each day. Our team at DICC has seen countless patients through this process, and you can read about their positive experiences to see what your own successful recovery can look like.
How Do I Know If I’m Healing Properly?
Knowing what to look for can give you peace of mind as you recover. Healthy healing involves the gradual reduction of pain, swelling, and bleeding. You should feel a little better each day. However, it’s also important to know which signs warrant a call to your dentist. If you notice swelling that isn’t going down, pain that gets worse instead of better, any discharge from the extraction site, or persistent numbness, please get in touch. The expert dentists on our team are here to support you and ensure your recovery is safe and successful.
Your Essential Aftercare Checklist
Think of the next week as your dedicated recovery period. How you care for yourself right after your wisdom tooth removal plays a huge role in how smoothly you heal. While our team at the Dental & Implant Centers of Colorado will give you detailed, personalized instructions, this checklist is a great go-to guide for the essentials. Following these simple steps can help you manage discomfort, prevent complications, and get back to feeling like yourself faster. It’s all about being gentle with your body and giving it the time it needs to repair. A little extra care now sets you up for a much more comfortable healing experience.
Feeling Sore? How to Manage the Pain
It’s completely normal to feel some discomfort after your procedure, but you don’t have to just tough it out. The best way to stay ahead of the pain is to take your prescribed pain relievers exactly as directed by your dentist. Don’t wait for the pain to become severe before taking your medication. As we get older, the risk of issues like dry socket (where the protective blood clot is dislodged) can increase. Being mindful of this and following your aftercare plan is the best way to prevent it. If you feel your pain is getting worse instead of better after a few days, that’s a sign to give us a call.
Keeping Your Mouth Clean (Gently!)
Keeping your mouth clean is essential for preventing infection, but you need to be gentle. For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw. After that, you can start rinsing your mouth with a simple warm salt water solution (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) after meals and before bed. When you brush your teeth, be very careful to avoid the surgical sites. A clean mouth is a key part of any successful dental procedure, and a little bit of careful attention here goes a long way in helping your gums heal properly.
Using Gauze and a Rinsing Syringe Correctly
Your dentist will send you home with a few tools to help with your recovery, and knowing how to use them properly makes a big difference. Bleeding after the procedure is expected, and gauze is your best friend for managing it. If you notice significant bleeding, gently wipe away any old clots from your mouth first. Then, place a fresh, folded gauze pad directly over the extraction site and bite down with firm, consistent pressure for about 30 minutes. This pressure is key to helping a new clot form and stopping the bleeding. Avoid chewing on the gauze or changing it too frequently unless it becomes soaked.
About a week after your surgery, you’ll introduce another important tool: the irrigating syringe. Its job is to keep the empty tooth socket clean and free of food particles that could cause an infection. To use it, fill the syringe with warm salt water. Gently guide the tip into the extraction site and flush the area to clear out any debris. You’ll want to do this a few times a day, especially after meals, for a couple of weeks. This simple step is one of the most effective ways to prevent complications and support the healing process, which is a goal our entire team is dedicated to helping you achieve.
Ice vs. Heat: Managing Swelling the Right Way
Swelling is your body’s natural response to surgery, and it usually peaks around two to three days after your procedure. To manage it effectively, use an ice pack on your cheek for the first 48 hours. A good rhythm is 20 minutes on, followed by 20 minutes off. This will help reduce inflammation and can also provide some numbing relief. After the first two days, you can switch to a warm, moist compress, which can help soothe any lingering soreness and reduce stiffness in your jaw. Most swelling should go down within a week.
When to Switch from Cold Packs to Warm Compresses
Knowing when to make the switch from cold to warm therapy is a simple but powerful part of managing your recovery. The general rule is to use cold for the first two days and then transition to heat. For the first 48 hours, an ice pack applied to your cheek in 20-minute intervals is your best friend. This helps constrict the blood vessels, which is key to minimizing the initial swelling and inflammation that often peaks around day two or three. Once you’ve passed that 48-hour mark, it’s time to transition to a warm, moist compress. The warmth helps to relax your jaw muscles, soothe any lingering soreness, and increase blood flow to the area, which can speed up the final stages of healing. This simple switch is a crucial part of a comfortable recovery and is a standard part of the post-operative care we guide our patients through for all our dental procedures.
Why Sleep Is Your Best Friend for Healing
Your body does its best healing while you’re asleep, so now is the time to prioritize rest. Plan on taking it easy for at least a few days after your surgery. When you’re lying down, use an extra pillow or two to keep your head elevated. This simple trick helps minimize swelling and can make you more comfortable. Don’t try to push through and get back to your normal routine too quickly. Listening to your body and giving it the downtime it needs is one of the most important things you can do for a smooth recovery. Our past patients often say that taking time to rest made all the difference.
When Can You Workout After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
For the first few days, you’ll need to put your workout routine on hold. Avoid any strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or intense exercise, as this can increase blood pressure and lead to more bleeding or swelling at the surgical site. It can also put you at risk of dislodging the blood clot that is so crucial for healing. Gentle walking is usually fine, but listen to your body. If you feel tired or dizzy, it’s a sign to head back to the couch. You can gradually return to your normal activities as you start to feel better, but don’t rush it.
The First 48 Hours: Complete Rest is Crucial
Think of the first two days after your procedure as your dedicated rest period. Your main job is to take it easy and let your body begin the healing process. Any form of exercise is off the table. Even simple activities like bending over or lifting something moderately heavy can increase blood flow to your head, which can disrupt the formation of the protective blood clot in the extraction site. This is your best defense against a painful dry socket. Plan to spend this time on the couch with a good book or your favorite show. Our team provides a full range of dental services, and for any surgical procedure, we always emphasize that this initial rest is non-negotiable for a smooth recovery.
Days 3-4: Introducing Light Activity
By the third or fourth day, you’ll likely be feeling a bit restless. This is when you can start to introduce some very light activity. Gentle walking is usually fine, but listen to your body. A short, slow walk around your neighborhood is a great way to get some fresh air without overdoing it. If you feel tired, dizzy, or notice an increase in pain or throbbing, it’s a clear sign to head back to the couch. Avoid any activity that requires you to clench your jaw or could lead to a fall. The goal isn’t to get a workout in; it’s simply to move your body gently to aid circulation without straining the healing area.
Week 1 and Beyond: Returning to Your Normal Routine
As you head into the first full week of recovery, you should notice a significant improvement. Swelling and bruising will start to fade, and any discomfort should gradually decrease. As you feel stronger, you can slowly increase the length and pace of your walks. Most people can resume light-to-moderate exercise, like jogging or using an elliptical, after about a week. However, you should still avoid high-impact activities or heavy weightlifting for at least two weeks. Every patient’s journey is different, and you can see from our patient testimonials that taking the time to heal properly leads to the best outcomes.
Does the Location of the Tooth Matter?
Yes, the location of the extracted tooth plays a big role in your recovery timeline. Upper wisdom teeth removals are typically less complicated. If only your upper teeth were removed, you can often return to light physical activity within five days. Lower wisdom teeth, however, are a different story. The bone in the lower jaw is denser, making the extraction more involved and increasing the risk of complications. If your lower wisdom teeth were removed, you need to wait at least 10 days before exercising. This careful approach is something our expert team always advises to ensure the surgical site heals without any issues.
Is Something Wrong? How to Handle Complications
While most wisdom teeth removals go smoothly, being prepared helps you stay calm and take the right steps if something feels off. Your body has a remarkable ability to heal, but it also sends signals when it needs a little extra help. Knowing what to look for and when to reach out is a key part of a successful recovery. Trust your instincts—if you feel like something isn’t right, it’s always best to check in with your dental team.
Red Flags: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
During the first few days, some swelling, discomfort, and light bleeding are normal. However, certain symptoms can indicate a complication. Keep an eye out for swelling that gets worse instead of better after two or three days, or pain that intensifies rather than subsides. Other red flags include any discharge (like pus) from the extraction site, a persistent bad taste or smell in your mouth, or numbness in your lip, chin, or tongue that doesn’t go away. These are your body’s ways of telling you to get in touch with your dentist for a follow-up.
Listening to Your Body When You Resume Activity
Your body is your best guide during recovery. While your dentist provides a general timeline, only you know how you’re truly feeling. When you feel ready to reintroduce activity, start with something light, like a short, slow walk around the block. Pay close attention to your body’s feedback, both during and after. Do you feel tired, dizzy, or notice any throbbing at the extraction site? These are clear signals to stop and head back to the couch. Rushing into your normal routine can set your healing back, so treat this as a gradual process, not a race. The expert team at DICC always emphasizes that a patient, mindful approach is the fastest path to a full recovery.
Are There Special Risks for Older Adults?
It’s a common myth that wisdom teeth stop causing trouble once you’re past a certain age, but issues can still arise. For adults over 40, the recovery process can sometimes present unique challenges. You might have a slightly higher risk for complications like dry socket, which happens when the protective blood clot dislodges from the socket, or slower healing in general. Nerve damage and infection are also potential concerns. This is why choosing an experienced surgical team is so important; our expert dentists are well-versed in managing the specific needs of adult patients to ensure the best possible outcome.
When to Call Your Dentist
Don’t hesitate to call us if you’re concerned. You should reach out immediately if you experience severe, throbbing pain that isn’t managed by your prescribed medication, or bleeding that won’t stop even with firm pressure. Signs of an infection, such as a fever, chills, or significant swelling in your cheek, jaw, or neck, also require prompt attention. Any difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency. We are here to support you through your recovery, so please contact our office if any of these or other unusual symptoms appear. Your peace of mind and health are our top priorities.
How Do Other Health Conditions Affect Recovery?
Your overall health plays a big role in your oral health and recovery. Age-related health changes or chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension can influence how your body heals and responds to anesthesia. It’s crucial to manage these conditions effectively before and after your procedure to support a smooth recovery. Be sure to share your full medical history with us during your consultation. This allows our team to tailor a treatment plan that accounts for your unique health profile, which is a core part of our holistic approach to all dental services.
What to Eat and Drink for a Smooth Recovery
What you eat and drink after your wisdom teeth removal plays a huge role in how you feel and how quickly you heal. Your mouth will be tender, so the goal is to nourish your body without irritating the surgical sites. Think of this as a temporary menu change that gives your body the fuel it needs to repair itself efficiently. Proper nutrition can help reduce swelling, prevent complications, and get you back to feeling like yourself sooner. It’s a simple but powerful way to support the healing process, and our team is always here to offer guidance tailored to your specific needs.
Your Go-To Soft Food Shopping List
For the first few days, your diet should be soft, smooth, and require little to no chewing. Sticking to these foods helps protect the sensitive surgical areas and prevents discomfort. Before your procedure, it’s a great idea to stock your kitchen with some easy-to-eat options so you don’t have to worry about it later.
Here’s a quick shopping list to get you started:
- Yogurt and pudding
- Applesauce and mashed bananas
- Smoothies (just remember, no straws!)
- Lukewarm, smooth soups or broths
- Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
What Not to Eat: Foods and Drinks to Skip
Just as important as what you eat is what you don’t eat. Certain foods can irritate the healing tissue, get lodged in the extraction sites, or even dislodge the crucial blood clot that forms after surgery. For the first week or so, you’ll want to steer clear of anything hard, crunchy, chewy, or spicy. This includes things like nuts, seeds, popcorn, chips, and crusty bread. You should also avoid acidic foods and drinks (like citrus juices and soda) and anything that is excessively hot, as these can cause irritation and discomfort.
Why Hydration Is Key to Your Recovery
Drinking plenty of water is essential for a smooth recovery. Hydration helps your body heal and keeps your mouth clean. However, there’s one very important rule: do not use a straw. The suction created by drinking through a straw can dislodge the blood clot that protects the underlying bone and nerves in the empty tooth socket. If this happens, it can lead to a painful condition called dry socket, which will delay your healing. Instead of using a straw, sip liquids directly from a glass. Stick to water and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks for the first few days.
Why You Must Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
If you smoke or drink alcohol, it’s critical to abstain during your recovery period. Smoking can seriously hinder the healing process by decreasing blood flow to the surgical site and introducing contaminants into your mouth. It also significantly increases your risk of developing a dry socket. Similarly, alcohol can interfere with your prescribed pain medication, thin your blood (which can lead to more bleeding), and dehydrate you. Giving your body a break from these substances is one of the best things you can do to ensure a complication-free recovery.
Eat to Heal: Nutrients That Aid Recovery
Your body is working hard to repair tissue and bone, and you can help it along by focusing on nutrient-dense foods. Protein is vital for tissue repair, so try incorporating protein powder into your smoothies or enjoying soft foods like scrambled eggs and yogurt. Vitamins, especially Vitamin C and Vitamin A, also play a key role in healing. You can find these in soft, recovery-friendly foods like mashed sweet potatoes, avocados, and blended vegetable soups. Ensuring your body has these building blocks is a core part of the holistic approach we take to all our dental services.
What Activities to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Removal
Your recovery isn’t just about what you eat; it’s also about how you move. For the first week, your body’s main job is to heal the surgical sites, and that requires a significant amount of energy. Pushing yourself too hard can disrupt this delicate process, leading to more pain, swelling, and potential complications. Think of this as a mandatory rest period. Giving your body a break from its usual physical demands allows it to direct all its resources toward healing your mouth. This is especially important for adults, as our bodies tend to need a little more time to bounce back. Following these guidelines will help ensure your recovery stays on track.
High-Impact Exercises and Heavy Lifting
You’ll need to put your workout routine on hold for at least a few days. Any strenuous activity, from running to weightlifting, increases your heart rate and blood pressure. This can lead to throbbing, increased bleeding, and more swelling at the extraction sites. It also raises the risk of dislodging the protective blood clot, which is essential for proper healing. Even if you feel up to it, your body is still recovering. Gentle walking is usually fine after the first couple of days, but listen to your body. If you start to feel tired, dizzy, or notice any pulsing in your mouth, it’s a clear sign to head back to the couch and rest.
Bending, Swimming, and Other Risky Movements
Certain movements that seem harmless can actually interfere with your healing. Avoid bending over or any activities that require you to lower your head below your heart for the first few days. Like strenuous exercise, these actions can raise the pressure in your head and cause the surgical sites to bleed. You should also stay out of pools, hot tubs, and natural bodies of water. Bacteria in the water can easily enter the open wounds in your mouth and cause a serious infection, which is a complication you definitely want to avoid. Sticking to simple, upright activities is the safest bet for the first week.
Safe Alternatives for the First Week
Taking it easy doesn’t mean you have to be completely sedentary. After the first 48 hours of dedicated rest, you can start incorporating some very light activity. Short, slow walks around your house or yard are a great way to get moving without overdoing it. This gentle movement helps promote healthy blood flow, which can actually aid in the healing process and keep you from feeling too stiff. The most important thing is to listen to your body’s signals. This is a time for rest and recovery, not for pushing your limits. Focusing on these gentle activities supports a wide range of dental services and their healing processes.
Managing Other Common Side Effects
After surgery, your body kicks into high gear to start the healing process, and this can bring on a few side effects that might seem alarming but are usually a normal part of recovery. Things like jaw stiffness, bruising, and even a slight fever are often just signs that your body is doing its job. Understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident and less anxious as you heal. While every person’s experience is a bit different, knowing the typical symptoms allows you to distinguish between what’s normal and what might be a sign of a complication that needs our attention.
Dealing with Jaw Stiffness and Soreness
It’s very common to experience some stiffness and soreness in your jaw after wisdom tooth surgery. Your mouth has been open for an extended period, and the muscles are bound to be a little tired and inflamed. This can make it difficult to open your mouth wide for a few days. You can help soothe this by gently applying a warm, moist compress to the area, but only after the first 48 hours have passed. During that initial period, ice is your best friend for managing swelling. Most of this stiffness and soreness should gradually improve over the first week as the swelling goes down and your muscles recover.
What to Expect with Bruising and Minor Fever
Don’t be surprised if you see some bruising on your cheek or jaw. This is caused by bleeding under the skin and is a perfectly normal response to surgery, especially if your teeth were impacted. The discoloration may take a few days to appear and can change colors as it heals, just like any other bruise. It’s also not uncommon to run a low-grade fever during the first day or two as your body mounts its inflammatory response. However, if you have a fever that persists or spikes, or if you have any concerns about your symptoms, it’s always best to check in with your expert team for guidance.
Your Long-Term Oral Health Plan
Your wisdom tooth removal is a big step, and the care you take afterward is just as important for a good outcome. A successful recovery is about more than just getting through the first few days—it’s about setting up habits and a support system to help you heal properly and get back to feeling like yourself. Think of this as the final, crucial phase of your treatment plan.
What to Expect at Your Follow-Up Visits
Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments, and it’s really important to attend them. These visits are our chance to check on your healing, make sure everything looks right, and address any concerns you might have. We’ll examine the extraction sites to ensure they’re closing properly and are free of infection. This is also the perfect time for you to ask any questions that have come up. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, and these check-ins are key to ensuring your recovery is smooth and complication-free.
Your New Oral Hygiene Routine
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential for preventing infection, but it requires a gentle touch. You’ll get specific instructions, which usually involve saltwater rinses after the first 24 hours. A key tip: avoid using straws for at least a week. The suction can dislodge the protective blood clot that forms in the socket, leading to a painful condition called dry socket. Since healing can take a bit longer as we get older, carefully following all aftercare instructions is the best way to promote a speedy recovery and maintain your overall dental health.
Don’t Go It Alone: Building Your Support System
You won’t be able to do it all on your own right after surgery, and that’s completely okay. Before your procedure, arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home, especially if you’re having any form of sedation. It’s also a great idea to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours to help with meals, reminders for medication, and just provide comfort. Planning for this assistance ahead of time, much like filling out your new patient forms in advance, removes stress and lets you focus completely on resting.
Easing Back into Your Daily Life
Patience is key when it comes to resuming your daily activities. While many people feel much better within a week, full recovery can take anywhere from two to six weeks. During the initial phase, it’s important to avoid strenuous activity and physical exertion, as this can increase bleeding and swelling. Listen to your body—if something doesn’t feel right, pull back and give yourself more time to rest. Giving your body the downtime it needs will ultimately get you back to your normal routine faster. Our patients’ successful recoveries often come from taking this advice to heart.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the recovery from wisdom tooth removal different after 40? As we get older, our jawbones become denser, which can make the teeth a bit more stubborn to remove. The roots of the teeth are also fully formed and can sometimes be located near major nerves. On top of that, our bodies naturally heal more slowly than they did in our teens. This combination means the procedure can be more complex and the recovery period generally requires more time and patience.
How long should I plan to take off from work and my usual activities? It’s wise to plan for at least two to three days of complete rest where your only job is to recover. Most people feel ready to return to a desk job or light activities after about a week. However, you should avoid any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for at least a week, and possibly longer, to prevent complications like bleeding or dislodging the protective blood clot.
What is a “dry socket,” and how can I prevent it? A dry socket is a painful condition that happens when the blood clot that forms in the empty tooth socket gets dislodged, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. The best way to prevent it is to follow your aftercare instructions carefully. This means no smoking, no drinking through straws, and avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first week. Being gentle with the surgical site is the most important thing you can do.
What are the most important signs that my healing is on track? Healthy healing is a gradual process. You should notice that any pain, swelling, and bleeding slowly decrease each day after the first 48 hours. While you’ll still have some tenderness for a while, the overall trend should be one of steady improvement. If you notice pain or swelling getting worse instead of better, that’s a sign to give our office a call.
When can I start eating solid foods again? You’ll need to stick to a soft-food diet for the first few days. Most people can start slowly reintroducing more solid foods after the first week, as comfort allows. The key is to listen to your body. Start with foods that are easy to chew and avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy until the extraction sites feel fully healed, which can take a few weeks.
