What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction

What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction

Before having a tooth extracted at a dentist, it’s important to have a full discussion with your oral surgeon about the tooth extraction procedure. You may feel tender or uncomfortable after the procedure, making chewing and eating a bit challenging. Some foods can help ease you through the recovery process, while others may agitate the area. Here are some tips for what to eat after your tooth extraction.
 

What to Eat After Tooth Extraction:

You should eat only soft foods and liquids for at least 24 hours after removing a tooth. And the temperature of the food should also be considered. Extremely hot or cool foods may cause soreness in the area, but you can choose cool or room temperature ones.
 

Cool Soup

Soup is easy-to-chew and contains nutrients and proteins that are good for recovery. A lukewarm or a cold bowl of soup can be a good choice for aftercare food, and you can also add some soft ingredients like small pieces of vegetables and pasta.
 

Smoothies

You can enjoy fruits and vegetables by blending them into smoothie. Blend with yogurt can add protein, calcium, and probiotics to the drink, and yogurt or similar dairy products can also reduce acidity, which is less likely to irritate tender gums. Avoid drinking your smoothie with a straw as the sucking action may remove the blood clot protecting the empty tooth socket.
 

Mashed or Pureed Foods

You can also get various nutrients while eating soft foods. Fruits and vegetables like potatoes, squash, green beans, carrots, bananas, and avocados.
 

What Not to Eat

Alcohols

Generally, Oral surgeons advise not to consume alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours after the tooth extraction. If patients are taking powerful pain medications, avoid consuming alcohol until they’re no longer on the medicines.
 

Spicy and Acidic Foods

You may also avoid spicy and acidic foods after removing a tooth. Hot sauces, soft drinks, and lemon can irritate a sensitive mouth and gums.
 

Crunchy Snacks

For about a week, it’s better not to eat hard, crunchy, chewy, or brittle foods like chips, nuts, and popcorn.
 
It is important to take special care of tender gums and month after removing your tooth. Taking soft foods and liquids during the healing procedure can help reduce the discomfort. But you can still enjoy delicious and nutritious food like soup bowls, healthy smoothies, and mashed or pureed fruits and vegetables. Get creative and make your own foods!
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