If you’re a fan of spicy curries, buffalo wings, tacos loaded with hot sauce, and other fiery foods, having your wisdom teeth removed can put a real damper on your diet.
Suddenly, all your favorite spicy meals are off limits, and you’re stuck with bland soft foods during recovery. But just how long do you actually need to wait before indulging in spicy fare again after oral surgery?
The general guideline is to avoid spicy foods for at least 1 week after having your wisdom teeth extracted. However, some people may be able to reintroduce mild
The most important thing is listening to your body and not irritating the sensitive healing sites. Let’s explore why
Why You Have to Avoid Spicy Food After Extractions
There are a few key reasons spicy foods are risky after having your wisdom teeth taken out:
- They can irritate the surgery site. Spicy foods contain compounds like capsaicin that trigger pain receptors. This can cause irritation and inflammation.
- They may dislodge blood clots. Clots form to stop bleeding after surgery. Spicy foods could potentially dislodge these clots and cause bleeding or dry socket.
- They can introduce bacteria. If food particles get stuck in the surgery site, it raises infection risk. Spicy chunks are more likely to get trapped.
- They can damage healing tissue. New tissue is extremely delicate and prone to irritation.
Spice compounds can cause damage and slow healing. - They may cause excessive swelling. Swelling is normal after surgery, but spicy foods may worsen inflammation.
So it’s vitally important to stick to a bland, soft diet as you recover to allow proper healing and avoid complications.
How Long Should You Wait to Eat Spicy Food?
While everyone’s healing timeline is unique, here are some general guidelines from dentists on when it’s safe to add
- 1 week post-op: Avoid spicy solid foods completely. Stick to a liquid or soft food diet.
- 5-7 days post-op: You may be able to tolerate very mild
spice like a small sprinkle of paprika or black pepper. - 10-14 days post-op: Slowly reintroduce
spice in moderation if healing well. Avoid very hot peppers. - 2-3 weeks post-op: Most people can incorporate spicy foods back into their diet at this point. But start slowly and stop if you feel any irritation.
- 1 month post-op: Your mouth should be fully healed by now. You can likely eat spicy foods normally again. But everyone heals differently!
The most important thing is listening to your body and avoiding
Signs You Need to Wait Longer
Pay attention to these signs that you may not be ready for spicy fare:
✘ Tenderness, throbbing, or sharp pains at extraction sites
✘ Redness, swelling, or inflammation
✘ Bleeding when eating
✘ Food getting trapped in surgery sites
✘ Bad breath
✘ Visible open wounds or holes
✘ Overall mouth pain
If you experience any of these, avoid spicy foods for longer. Let your dentist know if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks. You may need additional care to treat complications inhibiting healing.
Tips to Heal Faster from Oral Surgery
Want to speed up recovery and get back to flavorful meals ASAP? Here are some tips:
🥄 Eat a soft, nutritious diet. Soft scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, broths, applesauce and protein shakes.
💧 Stay hydrated. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Proper hydration promotes healing.
🛏 Get ample rest. Your body heals best when well-rested. Take regular naps and sleep 7-9 hours per night.
🤏 Avoid tobacco. Smoking impedes blood flow and delays healing.
🪥 Practice good oral hygiene. Gently clean surgery sites but avoid vigorous brushing.
🧘 Reduce stress. Anxiety and stress place strain on your body. Relax with light exercise, meditation, or soothing music.
💊 Take medications properly. Finish any prescribed antibiotics or painkillers as directed to ward off infection and manage discomfort.
Giving your body the tools it needs to heal will get you back to the foods you love faster. Be patient with the process and avoid temptation.
What to Eat Instead of Spicy Foods
Saying goodbye to spicy favorites for a week or more can be hard. Here are some safer, nutritious meal ideas to get you through recovery:
Breakfast:
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Yogurt with fresh fruit
- Soft-scrambled eggs
- Avocado toast without spices
Lunch/Dinner:
- Mashed or baked potatoes
- Macaroni and cheese
- Chicken noodle or tomato soup
- Tuna salad sandwiches
- Mashed cauliflower or butternut squash
- Protein shakes
Snacks:
- Applesauce or bananas
- Pudding cups
- Cottage cheese
- Ice cream, sorbet, or popsicles
- Jello
- Milkshakes
Focus on soft, cool foods to soothe your mouth. Be sure to maintain a balanced diet with protein, fruits/veggies, and whole grains to provide your body nutrients for optimal healing.
Introducing Gentle Spice Flavors
Once your dentist gives the all-clear, you can start reintroducing gentle spices that won’t aggravate your mouth:
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Curry powder
- Cardamom
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Oregano
Start with small amounts of these spices sprinkled onto foods. See how your mouth reacts. If you don’t experience any discomfort, keep slowly increasing
Hold off as long as possible on chili flakes, cayenne, hot sauce, mustard, and any peppers. These pack more heat that could irritate healing tissues.
Go slow and pay attention to signals from your mouth. Stop eating anything that causes irritation. Don’t rush the process.
Can I Eat Cold and Frozen Foods?
Yes, provided they are soft enough not to disturb the surgery site. Cold and frozen foods like popsicles or ice cream can actually feel soothing on tender healing areas.
Just avoid anything with crispy, crunchy, or chewy bits that require vigorous chewing. Soft frozen yogurt, sorbet, milkshakes, or smoothies make good options during recovery.
Final Tips for a Smooth Recovery
Healing from oral surgery takes diligence. Following these final tips sets you up for success:
- Ask your dentist how long to avoid spicy foods based on your specific extraction.
- Stick to a bland, soft food diet for at least 5-7 days.
- Slowly reintroduce gentle
spice flavors after 10-14 days if healing well. - Avoid very spicy foods for 3-4 weeks until fully healed.
- Rinse with warm saltwater after meals to keep sites clean.
- See a dentist if you experience excessive swelling, bleeding, or pain.
- Relax and take it easy as much as possible! Your body needs rest.
While bland food may seem boring after surgery, it’s only temporary. Focus on getting nutrients, staying hydrated, and resting to ensure you recover quickly. The reward will be getting to enjoy all your spicy favorites again soon!
Sources
- Dental Studio 4 Kids: Can I Eat After Having a Tooth Pulled? What You Can and Can’t Chew On.
- The Whole Portion: Can you eat spicy food after wisdom teeth?
- River Run Dental: 8 Foods To Eat After You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
- Valley Ridge Dental Centre: Foods That Cause Mouth Ulcers
- Dental Smile: 3 Easy ways to Help Your Mouth Heal Quicker After Having Teeth Removed
