Foods to eat after Tooth Extraction: Speed up your recovery

Imagine you will have a tooth extraction due to a cracked tooth, and soon you'll be getting a dental implant and a crown. The question is: What will you eat after the surgery?

The right foods can speed up healing, reduce swelling, and give you the energy you need to recover.

On the other hand, eating the wrong foods can disturb the area where the surgery happened, preventing a blood clot from forming or staying in place.

If this happens, it can slow down your recovery, increase the risk of infection, and even lead to complications like a dry socket.

You don’t want that, right? So keep reading to learn what foods to eat after tooth extraction.

What Foods to Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

If you're getting a tooth extracted at Junction Family Dental Care, you might be curious about what you can eat afterward. 

We have created this guide to provide important dietary information for the days ahead.

This diet can also provide guidance on what to eat after having your wisdom teeth removed.

Let's take a look. 

First 2 Days: Liquids and Soft Foods Only

After your appointment, wait until the numbness in your mouth goes away before eating. 

Since most people feel very tender after surgery, stick to soft foods.

Here are some recommended meals you can enjoy right after your extraction:

• Jello and Pudding: These smooth desserts are easy to eat and have a touch of sweetness.
• Smoothies and Milkshakes: Blend your favorite fruits with yogurt or milk for a refreshing drink that’s gentle on your healing gums.
• Ice Cream: This classic comfort food is soothing and creamy, which can help ease discomfort.
• Yogurt (No fruit bits or nuts): Choose smooth varieties without crunchy bits or toppings for a nutritious, easy-to-eat option.
• Liquid Soups: Tomato or potato soup for a soft meal that’s easy to swallow.
• Broth: A warm bowl of broth is nourishing and helps soothe your throat.
• Soft Scrambled Eggs: These fluffy eggs are high in protein and easy to eat.
• Applesauce: This smooth option is naturally sweet and provides vitamins without chewing.

Also, avoid using straws for the first two days after your extraction. 

Straws can create suction that may dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site, leading to a painful condition called “dry socket.” 

Days 2-5: Gradually Reintroducing Soft and Chewable Foods

By the second day, you should feel comfortable adding hot foods back into your diet. The blood clots will be more secure, which greatly lowers the risk of bleeding.

We suggest including food that need a little more chewing:

• Soft Bread: Great for sandwiches or with soups.
• Chicken: Choose tender, well-cooked chicken that is easy to chew and high in protein.
• Ground Meats: Use flavorful ground beef, turkey, or chicken in various dishes.
• Pancakes and Waffles: These are an easy-to-chew breakfast or snack option.
• Bananas: Ripe, soft bananas are a nutritious snack.
• Cheese: Soft, creamy cheeses can add flavor and richness to your meals.
• Soups with Meat and Vegetables: Hearty soups provide comfort and contain soft chunks that are easy to eat.
• Pasta: Soft pasta dishes are comforting and easy to digest.
• Rice: Soft, fluffy rice is a great side dish or base for meals.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are gentle on healing gums and always a favorite.

5-14 Days Post-Surgery: Broaden Your Diet, But Skip Hard and Crunchy Foods

Typically, around five days after your surgery, you can start to incorporate firmer foods into your diet. 

This includes vegetables like fresh apples, asparagus, and carrots, as well as more substantial cuts of meat such as juicy steak and tender pork.

However, it's important to listen to your body and pay attention to how your mouth feels. 

If you experience any pain or discomfort while eating a specific food, it's best to avoid it for now.

What Foods to Avoid After Tooth Extraction

After a dental procedure, including dental crowns, whitening treatments, and even veneers, you need to be careful about what you eat.

This is especially important after a tooth extraction, as some supposedly healthy foods can actually slow down your recovery.

Here are some types of food to avoid during this important time:

• Hard-to-Chew Foods: These can dislodge blood clots from the surgery site, slowing down healing. Avoid crunchy snacks like nuts and chips, tough meats like beef jerky, and raw vegetables because they can put pressure on sensitive areas in your mouth.

• Crunchy and Crumbly Foods: Snacks like cookies and burnt toast might sound good, but they can create crumbs that enter your mouth wounds. This can cause discomfort and increase the risk of infection, so it’s best to avoid these foods.

• Spicy or Acidic Foods: Spicy or acidic foods and drinks can irritate your wounds and cause more pain. For example, citrus drinks may taste refreshing but can make your mouth more sensitive after surgery.

• Grains and Seeds: Small particles from grains and seeds can get stuck in the extraction sites, making recovery harder. It's best to avoid foods like rice and quinoa, even though they are nutritious.

Also, avoid sodas, alcohol, and tobacco products.

Best Practices and Mistakes to Avoid After Tooth Extraction

Your diet during your recovery is essential, but after a tooth extraction, it’s important to follow some other steps. 

You should also be aware of common mistakes to avoid.

Follow these habits: 

• Stick to the guidelines your dentist or oral surgeon gives you.  
• Give your body enough time to heal by resting and avoiding heavy activities.  
• Apply ice packs to the area to help reduce swelling and pain.  
• Brush your teeth gently but do not touch the extraction area. 
• Drink plenty of water but do not use a straw.  
• Take any prescribed medications as directed for pain relief and to prevent infection.  
• Go to all follow-up visits with your dentist to monitor your healing.  

Avoid: 

• Do not touch or poke the extraction area with your tongue or fingers.  
• Rinse gently; strong rinsing can disturb blood clots that help you heal.  
• Avoid vigorous exercise or heavy lifting that can increase blood flow to your head.  
• Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, do not take aspirin since it may cause bleeding.  
• Attend all follow-up visits to check your progress and raise any concerns.

In Summary 

There are plenty of foods to eat after tooth extraction, so you won’t go hungry! 

Make sure to follow the diet recommended by your dentist to avoid any problems during your recovery. 

For the first few days, stick to liquids and very soft foods. After that, you can slowly start adding more solid foods. 

Remember to avoid spicy, hard, crunchy, and crumbly foods. Also, stay away from drinks like alcohol and soda, and please do not smoke. 

If you need a tooth extraction, feel free to contact us.