When Can I Eat Popcorn After Wisdom Teeth Removal? (4 Risk)

It’s no doubt that popcorn is great snack food. It is so delicious that we can eat it all day long without getting bored. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that you crave popcorn even after removing wisdom teeth.

You should avoid taking popcorn after tooth removal since it can become stuck in your wisdom teeth hole and cause complications. However, the removal of wisdom teeth does not mean there is a permanent restriction on popcorn consumption.

So now you might wonder “When can I eat popcorn after wisdom teeth removal?”. The short answer to your question is that popcorn is not very hard, so you can eat it after about 4–5 days of extraction. While popcorn can be eaten after dental extraction, there are still some risks involved, so it is always better to wait two weeks or more for the most comfortable recovery.

Continue reading this article for a more detailed explanation and other things to consider after teeth extraction.

Eating Popcorn After Wisdom Teeth Removal

When can I eat popcorn after wisdom teeth removal?

Popcorn is not a very hard food, so you should wait for about 4–5 days before eating it after extraction. You should, however avoid biting the big popcorn in the extracted area until your wound has completely healed. It takes about a week for soft tissues to heal, and for hard tissues, it takes almost a month. You can start eating soft food on the fourth day.

So, to be on the safe side, don’t eat popcorn for at least two weeks to avoid infection of the incision from food debris.

Can I eat popcorn with the other side after wisdom teeth removal?

Above, I said that you should avoid biting the popcorn in the extracted area. Now you maybe wonder, if you bite the popcorn by the other area, is it ok?

It is possible to eat some foods from the opposite side of where the extraction was performed.

The popcorn kernel, however, consists of a number of layers with varying thicknesses, so there is a possibility that tiny particles can move toward the extraction site and become stuck there. It is therefore recommended that you do not consume popcorn from any side.

Can a child eat popcorn after a loose baby tooth is pulled?

There is no need for children to wait 2 weeks before they can eat popcorn if they have pulled out a loose baby tooth.

When a baby tooth falls out, its roots naturally dissolve, so no socket is left behind. To ensure the primary healing has taken place, wait a few days before letting the child eat popcorn.

However, if he or she has had a baby tooth taken out by the dentist, I would still advise waiting about one week before letting the child eat popcorn while a long root is still attached to the tooth so that the extraction site is not irritated by the popcorn. You should ask the dentist when your child can resume eating as usual.

Why Can’t I Eat Popcorn After Wisdom Teeth?

After having a tooth removed, eating popcorn can present several risks that include:

• Slower healing time
• Pain
• Dry docket
• Infection

The patient may disrupt the clot forming in the extraction area by eating crunchy or hard food like popcorn. As a result, the extraction site is likely to heal much more slowly than expected. Furthermore, it can also lead to a harrowing and uncomfortable healing process.

The worst situation is when the popcorn hull gets stuck in the socket and can cause infection. In this case, you have to remove it right away to prevent infection. If a hull gets stuck in the extraction site within 24-48 hours of extraction, it could spell disaster.

Sockets must be irrigated and cleaned, which can cause a dry socket. It means that the clot gets washed out from the socket, which causes you to suffer a severe ache in your jaw.

How Do You Get Popcorn Out Of Wisdom Teeth Holes?

If you’ve eaten popcorn after wisdom teeth surgery and popcorn or its hull gets stuck in the wisdom teeth holes, here’s how you should handle it:

You should not use your fingers or any foreign objects to remove food from your extraction site. Also, do not prod the hole with your tongue. There is a risk of introducing bacteria into the wound and disrupting the healing process.

Saltwater rinses are preferable to eliminate food particles.

Foods To Eat And Those To Avoid After Tooth Extraction

After getting a tooth extraction, there are certain foods that should be avoided because they can cause further problems. However, there are also some foods you can and should eat. 

Foods to eat

• Soup: A broth-based soup is a great choice. This food has many nutrients that can help heal your extraction and is easy to eat.
• Mashed potatoes: They are soft and easy for the extraction area. If you want to add some flavor to the dish, you can add some butter, milk, and salt. Make sure the potatoes are not too hot before you.
• Pudding and custard: As these foods are thick and creamy, they are ideal after tooth extraction.
• Ice cream: The softness and ease of eating it make it a good choice. Don’t eat too cold or too hard ice cream. 
• Smoothies: After an extraction, smoothies can be a great source of nutrients. In case you don’t feel like eating solid foods for breakfast or lunch, you might be able to get by with a smoothie instead. Make sure it doesn’t become too thick.
• Scrambled eggs: They are easy to eat because they are soft. If you want to add some flavor, you can add cheese, vegetables, and herbs.

Foods to avoid

• Raw vegetables and raw fruit: You will find it hard to chew and can irritate the extraction site.
• Rice: It is also difficult to chew. Due to its small size, it can easily get stuck in the extraction area.
• Crunchy snacks like popcorn, chips, and nuts: Delay healing by disrupting blood clots in sockets.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol may interfere with healing, so refrain from it for a while.
• Caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea: Can cause dehydration and delay the healing process. Additionally, they can cause irritation at the extraction site.

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