So you finally got your wisdom tooth pulled out. Great!

Now the food stuck in the wisdom tooth hole is bothering you a bit. Relax. You are facing a common problem. But never pick the wisdom tooth hole with your fingers, toothpick, or other objects. We want faster healing and not an infection, instead.

How to get food out of a wisdom tooth hole?

Do not panic when the food gets stuck. Of course, it can be a matter of worry. You need to understand, that the food stuck there alone may not cause an infection. But poking the hole every now and then may introduce bacteria to cause an infection and delay healing.

Sometimes what you are trying to pull out can be the clot. The blood clot may look like food. It forms in the first few hours after the extraction. It is a loose mass that must be undisturbed on the first day. So be careful the first 24 hours. Afterward, you may try:

• Salt water rinse: Rinsing with salt and warm water can help to keep the socket clean. It is an age-old remedy to soothe inflammation and keep the wound clean.
• Mouthwash rinse: Your oral surgeon may have prescribed you a mouthwash. The rinsing action helps to clean the food debris. Besides, the anti-bacterial property of mouthwashes can reduce the growth of bacteria. Both of which can speed up the healing process.
• Herbal-tea rinse: If you don’t prefer either of them, you may try herbal tea rinse. Herbal tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Make sure it’s lukewarm and not hot.
• Plastic syringe: Targeting the socket can be a little tricky when you rinse. A syringe filled with warm water can help flush the food stuck in the wisdom tooth hole. Some dentists give the syringe post-extraction. Again be careful not to gush the water forcefully into the socket. Doing so might disrupt the blood clot.
• Water flosser: A water flosser is a device used as an alternative to flossing. This device sprays out a pressurized stream of water to clean between the teeth and hard-to-reach areas. If used correctly, a water flosser can help remove the food left in your wisdom tooth hole. But make sure to ask your dentist before you try this.
• Gentle brushing: After the wisdom tooth removal, many people fail to brush their teeth near the extraction wound. Because of this, the food particles accumulate around that area. These remnants can easily get trapped inside the socket.
• Cotton swab: A cotton swab is smaller and will have better access to the wisdom tooth hole. Try this method only if you are confident not to push the food remnant further down the hole.
• Visit your dentist: If nothing works, visit your dentist. Your dentist will remove the food stuck in your socket with ease.

How Can I Avoid Getting Food Stuck in Wisdom Teeth Sockets?

1. Follow the regular oral hygiene measures of brushing and flossing the best you can.
2. Rinse thoroughly after every meal. Be gentle. Do not rinse hard.
3. Follow a soft food diet.
4. Chew your food on the other side of extraction for a few days.

What can you eat after wisdom tooth removal?

It is better to follow a soft food diet for a week. Here are some recommendations:

• Yogurt
• Steamed and mashed vegetables
• Pudding
• Smoothies
• Eggs scrambled or hard-boiled
• Spaghetti, macaroni
• Blended soups (be careful not to suck forcefully)
• Avocado
• Hummus
• Rice porridge

Stay away from crunchy and crispy foods that can get stuck easily. Such as:

• Nuts
• Chips
• Chocolates and candies
• Grains
• Granola
• Popcorn
• Berries

Conclusion:

It is common to have food stuck in the hole after wisdom tooth removal. You can reduce the chances of food getting stuck if you make it a habit to rinse after every meal. Be 100% sure you are trying to remove the food remnant, not the clot. Avoid using toothpicks, safety pins, or other objects to clean the wisdom tooth socket. Also, do not probe the hole with your tongue. All this can disturb the blood clot and lead to a Dry socket. The chances of food getting stuck between the clot and the wound are slim. So, you may leave it there if it doesn’t irritate you much. As the wound heals, the food will eventually come out.