What to Eat After Tooth Extraction & What Foods to Avoid

A tooth extraction can be quite uncomfortable, making it challenging to find easy-to-eat options. However, there's another important reason to be mindful of your post-extraction diet. 

Choosing the wrong foods may not only extend your recovery but could also lead to infections, bleeding, and other complications. Alternatively, consuming the right nutrients can help accelerate healing, minimize swelling, and provide the energy needed for a smooth recovery.

Knowing what to eat after tooth extraction and what kind of foods you need to avoid can significantly impact your healing process.

Now, you might be thinking why it is so important to be mindful of what to eat after tooth extraction. After all, you have already gotten rid of the problem by getting the tooth removed, right?

Wrong. 

The healing process of your wound begins immediately after a tooth extraction. Your dentist will place cotton gauze in the extraction site for you to bite down on, which helps reduce bleeding by encouraging blood clot formation.

Certain foods can disrupt the surgery site, preventing the blood clot from forming properly or staying in place. This can delay your recovery and potentially lead to complications such as an infection or a dry socket, which can irritate the wound site and lead to further problems.

Avoiding these problematic foods after your extraction will enhance your chances of a speedy recovery.

When it comes to what to eat after tooth extraction, it's important to adhere to a balanced and nutritious diet to support healing, maintain well-being, and reduce discomfort. Right after the procedure, your meals should primarily consist of a mix of liquids and soft foods.

During the initial days following a tooth extraction, you might find it difficult to tolerate soft foods due to common tenderness and swelling. In such cases, a strictly liquid diet is advisable.

Your liquid diet may consist of:

• Vegetable juices
• Water
• Caffeine-free drinks
• Warm (not hot) pureed soups
• Gelatin
• Smoothies

Avoid using a straw immediately after the extraction, as the sucking motion can disturb the newly formed blood clot and hinder your recovery.

As your mouth begins to heal, you can slowly begin incorporating a soft diet. This includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow, which may be chopped, ground, mashed, or blended into a pureed form.

A soft food diet might include:

• Soups with tender vegetables or soft meats
• Soft grains such as oatmeal, rice, cream of rice, and risotto
• Cooked pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Ripe, sliced bananas
• Applesauce
• Beets 
• Baked apples (without the skin)
• Baked or boiled sweet potatoes or yams
• Spinach
• Cooked carrot slices

Consuming high-protein foods and including them in your diet is crucial as they help balance your nutrition and accelerate the healing process. You can incorporate these proteins into your smoothies or blend them into soups. High-protein options include:

• Protein powder
• Scrambled eggs
• Greek yogurt 
• Cottage cheese
• Lean meats and fish
• Tofu

To encourage proper wound healing, incorporating healthy fats into your diet can be beneficial. Some good options to consider are:

• Avocado
• Coconut butter
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Flax oil

• Citrus fruits can irritate the extraction site due to their acidity, potentially causing discomfort.
• Hot and spicy foods may also increase sensitivity and cause irritation, making the healing process more uncomfortable.

• Steak and tough meats can be hard to chew post-extraction and can be too rough on the healing gums, possibly leading to additional discomfort.
• You should also refrain from consuming raw vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and radishes, as they can be fairly difficult to chew and can be abrasive, potentially irritating the extraction site.

After a tooth extraction, it's important to avoid carbonated beverages. The carbonation can cause bubbles to form in the mouth, which may disrupt the blood clot that is crucial for healing. 

Additionally, the acidity and effervescence of these drinks can irritate the extraction site and extend the recovery period.

Undergoing a tooth extraction can be a daunting experience, but knowing what to eat after tooth extraction and what you need to avoid can help accelerate your recovery and prevent complications.

Following your oral surgeon's aftercare instructions is crucial after a tooth extraction. This typically involves taking prescribed medications, rinsing with salt water or mouthwash, using gauze to manage bleeding, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. 

If you're unsure about what foods to eat, contact your dentist. They can provide guidance on making the best dietary choices to ensure a smooth and effective recovery.

Book your appointment with Innovative Dental & Orthodontics and learn more about what to eat after tooth extraction.