Having your wisdom teeth out can be a scary experience and leave you with many questions. You may be wondering whether I can eat garlic after wisdom teeth removal.
This article will go into detail if garlic is ok to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed and a few things you will want to avoid after the extraction.
Is it ok to eat garlic after wisdom tooth removal?
Yes, you can eat garlic after having your wisdom teeth removed. The key to eating garlic after your wisdom teeth have been removed is to have it pureed in a soup.
It would be best if you didn’t eat solids until your dentist tells you that it is ok. Eating soups, smoothies, and other soft food that doesn’t require chewing are recommended. You can incorporate garlic into your soups for added flavour and reap the benefits of the garlic.
It can be hard for some to restrain from eating solids or anything that will interfere with your healing. Sticking to the diet recommended by your dentist will give you the greatest chances of healing quickly and without any infections or other issues to slow down the process and prolong your recovery.
Garlic is great to help support your body during the healing process and to stave off infections. If you can include it into your pureed diet, you are offering your body a little extra support to heal quickly and efficiently.
Things not to do after removing your wisdom teeth
- Do not drink from a straw after having your wisdom teeth extracted. The suction created by drinking through a straw can cause the stitches to come out or, even worse, the blood clot to fall out and lead to a painful condition known as dry socket.
- Do not drink sodas or any other type of carbonated drink. The bubbles may loosen the blood clot and cause it to fall out, leading to a dry socket.
- Do not eat hard or crunchy food. They may become caught in the extraction site and lead to further intervention needed from your dentist.
- Do not eat acidic food or drink acidic beverages. The acid could irritate the extraction site and cause you to experience more pain.
- Do not spit after having your wisdom teeth removed. The suction created when you spit is enough to dislodge the blood clot that is forming in the extraction site. You do not want to do anything to disturb the blood clot. If it falls out, you will have to go back to the dentist and end up dealing with dry sockets.
What is a dry socket?
A dry socket is when the blood clot that forms at the site of a tooth extraction after it fails to develop properly or is dislodged. This can lead to severe pain and other complications. Dry sockets are more common after certain types of extractions, such as those that are difficult or require removal of bone. They can also be more likely to occur if you smoke or have an infection in the extraction site. Treatment typically involves managing the pain and protecting the exposed bone until the socket heals. In some cases, surgery may be required to close the socket.
What foods cause dry socket?
It is recommended to eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, and gelatin instead of nuts, popcorn, rice, and pasta which are known to leave behind food reminants and cause dry socket.
The aforementioned types of foods are less likely to dislodge blood clots from extraction sites and cause dry socket.
Proper dental hygiene is also extremely important in the prevention of dry socket. This includes gently brushing teeth that are close to the extraction site to decrease the quantity of bacteria present in the area, and rinsing with warm salt—but with limited force—to help remove food debris and keep the mouth clean.
Conclusion
Eating after having your wisdom teeth removed is all about texture. You don’t want to do anything that will impede the healing process.
Eating garlic is ok after having your wisdom teeth extracted as long as it is pureed in a soup, so you don’t have to chew and risk getting food caught in the extraction site, or worse, causing the blood clot to fall out or stitches to tear open.
