What to Eat After Tooth Extraction?

Before extracting your tooth, it is essential to discuss the extraction procedure with your dentist or oral surgeon. The dentist will also discuss the recovery instructions for a normal tooth extraction or removal of wisdom teeth.

As you might expect, soft foods are the best during the recovery process. Therefore, here is what you should eat and avoid eating after the tooth extraction procedure. This will guide you in preventing possible complications.

What to Eat

Your dentist in Phoenix will recommend that you eat the following after undergoing tooth extraction.

1. Ice Cream

Unless your teeth are sensitive, ice cream is one of the best things to take after a tooth extraction, especially if it’s the summer. Ice cream is soft and cool, and you can eat it comfortably even when your mouth is still tender from the procedure. In addition, since the ice cream is cold, it can help minimize any natural swelling in your mouth.

You should choose your ice cream with care. A soft serve is ideal right after the surgery since it does not require a lot of jaw muscle to eat. Avoid ones with solid sprinkles or mixing along the top of the ice cream. And remember to pick a cup over a cone.

2. Cool Soup

Pureed, cool or lukewarm soups are also great to eat after tooth extraction. If it’s hot, you might prefer a smooth gazpacho instead of a bowl of lukewarm broth. Besides being easy to eat after surgery, soup also contains plenty of nutrients and, at times, protein to help your face muscles feel better.

To prevent any discomfort, ensure that your soup is as smooth as possible before taking it. A few pieces of pasta or cooked vegetables should be manageable, but you should try avoiding anything that will require proper chewing.

3. Eat Smoothies

Eating fresh fruits will require a lot of chewing, making you feel some discomfort. One of the best ways to take them after having your tooth extracted is in smoothie form. Blend the fruits with some kefir or yogurt to add protein, probiotics, and calcium to the drink.

Adding the yogurt or a similar daily product to your smoothie will help it become less acidic and less likely to irritate your tender gums.

4. Eat Scrambled Eggs

As long as the scrambled eggs are not too hot, they are an excellent pick to eat after a tooth extraction procedure. They are gentle and high in protein and do not require a lot of effort in chewing.

What to Avoid Eating After a Tooth Extraction Procedure

What you should avoid eating after a tooth extraction procedure includes:

• Avoid Acidic and Spicy Foods

You may be addicted to adding a dab of hot sauce to your food, but after you have a tooth extracted, the best option is to put the sauce bottle down and play it cool. If you have ever encountered the burn of hot pepper, you will realize that spicy food will irritate your mouth and gums.

It is best to avoid these spicy foods until your dentist gives you the way to take your favorite spices. Like spice foods, acidic foods also irritate your mouth after a tooth extraction and should be avoided while healing.

• Avoid Crunchy Snacks

During the first week after your tooth extraction procedure, your dentist at Brookstone Dental Care will advise you to stay away from crunchy snacks, even cold or otherwise forgiving. They are difficult to eat while your teeth are sore. There is also a chance they may break off, and bits off them may get stuck in your socket. Stick to soft foods only until your dentist near you advises otherwise.

• Avoid Using Straws

Using a straw immediately after your tooth removes causes a sucking motion that may increase the risk of you having a dry socket. To minimize this risk, it is best to take small sips of cool beverages after surgery without using a straw.

To keep your mouth healthy and in good shape, it is usually all right to start brushing the night after your dental surgery. You should stick to a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle as possible. You should also avoid brushing near the area of the extraction.