Are you wondering about what foods you will be able to eat after you have had your teeth removed? Here, our Timmins dentists give some advice about what to eat and what to avoid after having tooth extraction surgery.
If you have damaged teeth that may be threatening the health of the surrounding teeth in your smile, your dentist may recommend having theme extracted if they cannot be preserved through other treatments. You will be advised to eat a healthy diet featuring soft foods while you go through the healing process.
Though your schedule may differ depending on your dentist’s recommendations and other factors, we’ve compiled a general timeline of what should be safe to eat at different stages of recovery – and provided some important facts about when you’ll be able to enjoy all the foods you love again.
Why eat soft, healthy foods after teeth are extracted?
While having a tooth extracted is a relatively common procedure, maintaining a healthy diet of soft foods, following your dentist's instructions and managing your self-care are all important to ensure the recovery process goes as smoothly as it can.
You’ll want to do this to avoid complications or infections, which can result from bacteria or food particles becoming trapped in the extraction area.
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
For 3 to 5 days
Generally speaking, you will want to make sure that you eat lots of soft and mushy foods as well as drinking plenty of liquids for the 3 to 5 days following surgery. This can include:
- Jell-O
- Smoothies
- Apple sauce
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Potatoes (regular, mashed or sweet)
- Blended soups (easy to eat, hydrating and rich in nutrients)
- Seedless, pureed fruit
- Broths (filled with minerals and essential vitamins to help you recover)
- Pureed or mashed vegetables such as squash or carrots
- Regular ice cream or banana ice cream
As you start to heal, gradually integrate more regular, semi-soft foods such as:
- Toast
- Scrambled eggs
- Instant oatmeal
- Macaroni and cheese
Allow any hot food to cool before eating, and keep the area clean according to your dentist’s recommendations. Also, remember to take your medications as prescribed.
Which foods should I avoid?
For 1 Week or More
For the first few days following your extraction procedure, your extraction site will be vulnerable to infection. You should try to avoid any foods that may inflame the area and lead to complications, such as:
- Seeds
- Alcohol
- Grains (quinoa, rice)
- Spicy or acidic foods (peppers, citrus juice)
- Crunchy, tough or crumbly foods (hamburgers, jerky, popcorn, pizza, etc.)
For 2 to 4 Weeks
You may love the following snack foods. However, you should avoid eating them as much as possible until you are fully recovered, as they may stick in the extraction site and disrupt the healing process.
- Nuts
- Chips
- Popcorn
When can I start eating normal food after a tooth extraction?
Many patients find that they can eat their regular diet again within a week of having their teeth removed. Eating a diet full of delicious, heathy and soft foods in the days and weeks following a tooth extraction is imperative to a quick and safe recovery.
As long as you consume the right foods – and avoid foods that may delay or hamper your recovery – you’ll feel more comfortable and help reduce your risk of infection.