What Can I Eat After Having a Tooth Extracted?

"Will I be able to eat after the procedure?”

This is one of the most common questions patients have about tooth extractions. Like many restorative dental treatments, extractions may leave you with some oral discomfort and will require a brief recovery period before you can return to your normal routine. However, there are many foods you can continue to enjoy while recovering from a tooth extraction.

What To Eat After Tooth Extraction

For the first 24 hours after your tooth extraction procedure, you should consume only soft foods and liquids. After a few days, you can ease back into your normal diet.

During the days following your extraction, stick to easy-to-chew foods. Cool foods like yogurt, ice cream, pudding, and Jell-O are easy to consume and may be soothing to sore mouths. After the first day, you might try scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or broth-based soups without large chunks of meat. It is important to serve these foods lukewarm, as hot foods can disrupt the healing process.

Here is a quick overview of the foods you can comfortably eat after a tooth extraction:

Ice Cream

Ice cream tops the list of the best foods to eat after tooth extraction, especially during the warmer months. It’s cool and soft, making it comfortable to eat even when your mouth is tender. Ice cream’s cold temperature also helps minimize any natural swelling that happens in the mouth.

Still, it’s important to choose your ice cream with care. Soft serve is perfect right after a tooth extraction because it doesn’t require much jaw activity to eat. You should also avoid ice cream with mix-ins or solid sprinkles and choose a cup over a cone.

Cool Soup

Cool or lukewarm pureed soups are great to eat after tooth removal. If it’s summer, you might choose a smooth gazpacho over lukewarm broth. Soup is easy to eat after surgery and contains plenty of nutrients and protein to support a healthy recovery.

To avoid discomfort, ensure the soup is as smooth as possible. You can add a few small pieces of pasta or cooked vegetables to the soup, but you should avoid ingredients that require proper chewing.

Smoothies

Smoothies are an easy way to enjoy fresh fruits after a tooth extraction. Blend frozen fruit with yogurt or kefir to create a drink with plenty of calcium, protein, and probiotics. Including yogurt or another dairy product in your smoothie also reduces the acidity, making it less likely to irritate tender gums.

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are another great pick after a tooth extraction, as long as they aren’t too hot. Eggs are soft, high in protein, and don’t require much effort to chew.

What Not to Eat

Generally, you should avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after oral surgery. If you’re taking strong pain medications, avoid indulging in alcohol until you complete your medication.

For about one week, it’s best to avoid consuming hard, chewy, crunchy, or brittle foods such as chips, nuts, and popcorn. While you’re avoiding tough cuts of meat, you can try dairy products to add extra protein to your diet.

Final Thoughts

When considering tooth extraction, it’s essential to discuss the procedure with your dentist. Your dentist will explain what to expect during the extraction and provide you with detailed aftercare instructions for a smoother recovery. Be sure to follow these directions carefully and get in touch with your dental office if you experience any complications or have any questions.