It's been 4 weeks after my wisdom teeth extraction.
I've been eating only soft solids (squash, potatoes, blended soup, fish, and REALLY soft meat) and chewing from my front teeth.
I think my extracted area has healed a lot, but the holes are so deep!
My breath doesn't stink, my gums are still a bit sore at times, but the holes look pretty clean.
I'm afraid that if I eat regular food and chew regularly from my molars, the food might get trapped in there.
My dentist didn't give me a syringe either. I called them and they simply told me to rinse with salt water or listerine after I eat to get the food and bacteria out.
But will only that suffice? I'm so paranoid about an infection or something!
All my friends told me that food got stuck in their holes at least once and they had to go back to the dentist to get it out....I really want to avoid that from happening.

What can I eat/do to prevent this from happening?

I have pretty good oral hygiene I think... (I brush my teeth twice a day, floss 1-2 times a day, and use mouth wash for 30 sec twice a day, and brush my tongue twice a day).

Please help me answer this question.
I've been eating so lightly these past 4 weeks that I've lost 6 pounds. I'm craving for real food! School starts soon for me, so I want to have the energy to study! haha
My dentist didn't even tell me to go back for checkup either. And when I called them, they were so generic about everything.

lifeoflife,


If you are not having any deep pain and do not have dry sockets... which it doesn't sound like you do, then the reason the gum tissue has not closed over the surgical sites may be due to the rinsing with the listerine. This mouthwash and others with similar ingredients are not only very irritating to the oral tissue but they can prohibit the healing of surgical wounds in the mouth as they dry out the tissue severely. All you need to rinse with is warm salt water about 3-4 times a day. No other mouthwash.

Do you smoke or drink alcohol? Both of these things will slow down the healing of extraction sites and can even prevent the tissue from closing over completely.

Diet.... it is best to stick with a soft food diet and try to avoid eating on the open wounds.

Bryanna