Can you eat bread after wisdom teeth removal?

In this brief guide, we will answer the query “Can you eat bread after wisdom teeth removal?” We will cover important information such as the types of bread you should choose, what other toppings you can use to improve texture, and what foods can you eat alongside bread for an optimal nutrition.

Can you eat bread after wisdom teeth removal?

Yes, you can eat bread but only after 24 hours after the procedure. Within the first 24-hour period, your dentist will encourage you to have only cold and liquid foods, like ice-cream (1,2).

The cold temperature of ice-cream can help you to reduce inflammation, and the liquid state of this food is very helpful because you do not have to chew it (1,2).

You are allowed to introduce soft-foods to your diet 24 hours after the procedure. Foods like soups, jelly, milk-shakes, and purées are very good soft-food options. However, some people are more tolerant to pain and could start eating more solid foods, in this case, white bread is a good option (1,2).

However, you should eat all your food on the opposite side of the wound, this way you will reduce the risks of infection due to food residues (1,2).

What Types of Bread Should You Consider?

You should consider eating white bread instead of whole-grain bread. White bread has a softer texture than whole-grain, and is easier to chew (3). 

Another option is to go for a gluten-free bread, normally these products are added with gums (such as xanthan-gum). Gums are good for retaining high amounts of water, and they can provide a soft texture and moisture to the products, especially in bakery products like bread (3).

Finally, avoid all breads added with seeds, seeds need more chewing, and they could leave residues in the wound (3).

How to Prepare Your Bread for Consumption After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

You can prepare your bread with high-moisture complements such as jam, marmalade, honey, or syrup. Adding moisture to the bread will make it easier to chew and swallow (4).

Remember that it is recommended to eat easy to chew foods to avoid risks of pain, discomfort, and prevent wound sutures from opening (1,2).

Is Bread suitable for an Optimal Nutrition?

Eating only bread is not a suitable food for optimal nutrition. Bread will provide you only with carbohydrates and small amounts of protein (5). You can see the content of a slice of bread in the following table (5):

NutrientContent in 1 slice of bread (28 g)
Protein3 g
Carbohydrates12.3 g
Fat0.602 g
Fiber2.58 g

You will need other nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, iron, and proteins, all these nutrients are essential for cicatrization, and regulate inflammation (6).

What are Other Food Options to Eat Alongside Bread for an Optimal Nutrition?

You can include other soft or liquid foods in your diet alongside bread to ensure the intake of all nutrients (and therefore, an optimal nutrition). For example (7,8):

  • Yogurt can be a good option to add high-quality proteins, calcium, and vitamin D.
  • Milk-shakes can be a beverage to include fruits, which are a good source of vitamin C and selenium.
  • If you tolerate soft solid foods, you can add fish and scrambled eggs. These foods will provide you with high quality proteins and some amounts of iron.

Remember that the introduction of solid foods is dependent on your tolerance, if you have no pain or discomfort, you can gradually incorporate solid foods. However, take into account that you should eat on the opposite side of the wound (1,2).

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the query “Can you eat bread after wisdom teeth removal?” We covered important information such as the types of bread you should choose, what other toppings you can use to improve texture, and what foods can you eat alongside bread for an optimal nutrition.

References

  1. Isola G, Alibrandi A, Pedullà E, Grassia V, Ferlito S, Perillo L, et al. Analysis of the effectiveness of Lornoxicam and Flurbiprofen on management of pain and sequelae following third molar surgery: A randomized, controlled, clinical trial. J Clin Med, 2019;8(3):325.
  1. Dupuy O, Douzi W, Theurot D, Bosquet L, Dugué B. An evidence-based approach for choosing post-exercise recovery techniques to reduce markers of muscle damage, soreness, fatigue, and inflammation: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Front Physiol, 2018;9.
  1. Gómez M, Gutkoski LC, Bravo-Núñez Á. Understanding whole-wheat flour and its effect in breads: A review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 2020;19(6):3241–65.
  1. Heuven LAJ, de Graaf K, Forde CG, Bolhuis DP. Al dente or well done? How the eating rate of a pasta dish can be predicted by the eating rate of its components. Food Qual Prefer, 2023;108(104883):104883.
  1. FoodData central [Internet]. Usda.gov. [cited 30 May 2023]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167532/nutrients
  1. Ghaly P, Iliopoulos J, Ahmad M. The role of nutrition in wound healing: an overview. Br J Nurs, 2021;30(5):S38–42.
  1. Garcia C, Remize F. Lactic acid fermentation of fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies: Innovation and health aspects. In: Ray RC, Paramithiotis S, de Carvalho Azevedo VA, Montet D, editors. Lactic Acid Bacteria in Food Biotechnology. Elsevier; 2022. p. 27–46.
  1. Wu XS, Yousif L, Miles A, Braakhuis A. A comparison of dietary intake and nutritional status between aged care residents consuming texture-modified diets with and without oral nutritional supplements. Nutrients, 2022;14(3):669.

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