So, you’re done with the tooth extraction, and now it’s time to fill that tummy with something delicious – but wait! Are you allowed to eat whatever you want after tooth extraction? Not really. For 24-48 hours after the extraction, you can only eat soft foods. You can start solid meals after a few days as soon as you feel comfortable, as long as they’re not very crunchy, hot, chewy, or sticky. So, what to eat after a tooth extraction? Let’s explore the dos and don’ts of diet after tooth extraction.
What Can You Eat After a Tooth Extraction?
It is advisable to limit your diet to relatively soft foods after a tooth extraction, as the treated area is quite sensitive after the procedure. Below are the foods you should eat for 24-48 hours after the procedure:
Soft Food
You may have a soft food diet while your mouth starts to recover, such as foods that have been softened and made easier to chew and swallow. You can grind or slice these meals into tiny bits.
A soft diet might consist of:
- Mashed potatoes
- Spinach
- Cooked pasta
- Boiled or baked sweet potatoes
- Beets
- Sliced or mashed bananas
- Applesauce
- Soft grains, such as oatmeal, rice, etc.
Liquid Diet
If the treated area is all swelled up and too sensitive even for a soft diet, you can try a liquid diet consisting of the following:
- Vegetable juice
- Pureed soups
- Smoothies
- Gelatin
Note: It is advised to avoid using straw after tooth extraction since sucking can move the newly formed blood clot and cause excess strain.
Healthy Fats
You may add healthy fats to further improve the healing of wounds. Among the good fats you should eat are:
- Coconut Oil
- Flax Oil
- Coconut Butter
- Avocado
- Olive Oil
High Protein Food
It’s important to incorporate foods strong in protein in your diet; this facilitates nutritional balance and expedites the healing process. You may puree these proteins into soups or include them in smoothies. Among the foods high in protein are:
- Meats and fish
- Cottage cheese
- Protein powder
- Scrambled eggs
- Tofu
- Yogurt
What Not to Eat After a Tooth Extraction?
You must avoid the following foods after a tooth extraction:
- Acidic food
Acidic food may aggravate the tooth socket and make it more sensitive. - Chewy food
Hard or chewy foods, like jerky and steak, might irritate the extraction site and cause the newly formed blood clot to come loose. - Hot drinks and food
Hot meals and drinks have the potential to induce pain, which might impede the healing process. - Solid food
Eating solid or crunchy food may cause the blood clot in the empty tooth socket to come loose, delaying the healing process and possibly causing dry sockets.
Final Say!
What to eat after a tooth extraction? It’s important to maintain a healthy diet after surgery but this healthy diet should be good for your extraction site. For instance, soft foods and liquid diets are the best options to eat after a tooth extraction.
For further queries, visit us at Integrity Dental. Contact us by calling at (586) 977-0300 and schedule your appointment.