When Can I Eat Pizza After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
I’m not gonna lie—after I got my wisdom teeth removed, all I could think about was food. Specifically: pizza. The smell, the cheese, the crust… it haunted my dreams while I was stuck with bland mashed potatoes and lukewarm soup.
But I had to ask myself: when can I actually eat pizza after wisdom teeth removal without wrecking my recovery?
Short answer? I waited around 7 to 10 days before even thinking about it. Even then, I took it easy—no crust, no big bites, just soft, cheesy center pieces chewed on the safe side of my mouth. For the full experience—greasy slices with a crispy crust—I held off until about two weeks in, just to be safe.
Here’s how I figured it all out and what I learned along the way.
Can I Eat Pizza 7 Days After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
At the 7-day mark, I was finally starting to feel like a human being again. The swelling was down, the soreness was better, and I could open my mouth without feeling like my jaw was falling off.
Naturally, I wanted pizza. But I had to think it through.
Pizza might seem soft, but:
- That chewy crust? No joke—it takes effort.
- Little crumbs and toppings can get stuck where the tooth used to be.
- Grease and tomato sauce can irritate the healing gum tissue.
Still, I tried a small piece. Just the soft center, no crust. I chewed slowly, carefully, and only on the opposite side of the surgery. Honestly, I was nervous the whole time, and I made sure to rinse out my mouth afterward.
If you’re anything like me and healing well by Day 7, soft pizza might be okay. But definitely avoid crunchy edges and big bites. And if you’re still swollen or sore—just wait. It’s not worth setting yourself back.
Can I Eat Pizza 3 Days After Tooth Extraction?
Definitely not. At 3 days, I was still dealing with a puffy face and that weird numbness where my teeth used to be. The last thing I wanted to do was chew something tough and ruin the healing process.
Here’s what I was worried about:
- Dislodging the blood clot—which could cause dry socket (I heard it’s awful).
- Irritating the area with chewing or sharp crust.
- Getting food stuck in the sockets, which could lead to infection.
So yeah, I stayed far away from pizza. I stuck to mashed potatoes, lukewarm soup, and protein smoothies. Boring? Yes. But safe.
Can I Eat Pizza 3 Days After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Still a no. Wisdom teeth removal is even more intense than a regular tooth extraction. Mine were impacted, so my whole face felt like it had been through a war zone for those first few days.
I couldn’t chew anything tougher than a soft egg or some yogurt. The idea of biting into pizza felt impossible—and honestly, kind of painful to even imagine.
By Day 3, I was still:
- Avoiding hot foods and drinks
- Not using a straw (because of suction risks)
- Rinsing gently with salt water
- Sleeping with my head elevated to reduce swelling
Pizza just didn’t fit into that picture yet.
How Long After Wisdom Teeth Removal Can I Eat Normally?
For me, it took around 10 to 14 days to get back to eating like a normal person. Some people heal faster, but I didn’t want to rush it and risk any complications.
Here’s how my eating timeline looked:
| Days After Surgery | What I Ate |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Smoothies, cold soup, pudding, applesauce |
| Days 2–3 | Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt |
| Days 4–6 | Soft pasta, creamy oatmeal, soft rice |
| Days 7–10 | Soft but solid foods (no crusty stuff yet) |
| Days 10–14 | Slowly added in pizza, meat, soft bread |
Even after two weeks, I was still chewing carefully and avoiding chips or anything sharp. But it felt so good to finally enjoy real food again.
FAQ
When can you eat pizza after wisdom teeth?
In my experience, soft pizza without crust was okay around 7 to 10 days post-op. I made sure there was no pain or swelling, chewed slowly, and stuck to the soft parts. For full-on greasy, chewy pizza? I waited at least two weeks.
How long until you can eat actual food after wisdom teeth removal?
I started eating “real” food again around 10 to 14 days after surgery. That included burgers (cut into small bites), pasta, soft bread, and eventually pizza. I avoided anything crunchy, spicy, or super chewy until I was totally healed.
Can I eat McDonald’s 6 days after wisdom teeth removal?
I actually craved McDonald’s around Day 6, but I only got a McFlurry (without cookie chunks) and some mashed potatoes I brought from home. I wouldn’t go for fries or burgers just yet—too risky. At that point, soft food was still the way to go.
Can I eat chips 10 days after wisdom teeth removal?
Chips? Nope, I didn’t touch them until I hit the two-week mark. Even then, I was cautious. Chips break into sharp pieces that can poke healing gums or get stuck. I waited until I could chew without pain and rinsed well after snacking.
Can I eat rice 7 days after wisdom teeth removal?
Yes! Around Day 7, soft rice was totally fine for me. I had some plain white rice with broth and it went down easy. I just made sure to chew slowly and rinse afterward so no grains got stuck in the extraction site.
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me and dreaming of pizza after wisdom teeth removal, I feel your pain. But trust me—waiting a few extra days is worth it. That first bite of pizza is way better when your mouth isn’t sore, swollen, or bleeding.
If you’re healing well, you might enjoy a soft slice (no crust) around Day 7, but full pizza with all the toppings and crispy crust? I waited until at least Day 10 to 14.
The rule I followed was simple:
If it hurts to chew, you’re not ready yet.
Play it safe, follow your dentist’s advice, and take your time. The pizza will still be there when you’re ready—and it’ll taste even better.
