What to Eat and What to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction

Before you have a tooth extracted at a dentist office in Marietta, GA, it’s important to fully discuss the tooth extraction procedure with your oral surgeon. The dentist office will provide you with in-depth aftercare instructions for your tooth extraction recovery . Follow these instructions carefully and contact the dentist office if you have any questions or if you experience any possible complications.

How to Eat

Your approach to eating is just as important as the types of foods you eat. It’s advisable to only chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the treated area. Since you’ll likely be consuming more liquids than solids initially, it may be tempting to use a drinking straw. In fact, this isn’t advisable because the suction of the straw can dislodge the blood clot and lengthen your total healing time.

What to Eat After Tooth Extraction

For at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you should consume only soft foods and liquids. You can ease into a more normal diet when you feel comfortable doing so. Try to stick with easy-to-chew foods for a few days. Initially, choose cool foods like yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, and ice cream. If you choose ice cream, select a variety that does not contain crunchy or chewy candy pieces and avoid ice cream cones. Applesauce is a good choice after your tooth extraction because it will add some fiber to your diet. After the first day, you might try mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, and broth-based soups without large chunks of meat. Eat these foods lukewarm, not hot.

What Not to Eat

Generally, tooth extraction patients are advised not to consume alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours following the oral surgery. If you are taking powerful pain medications, avoid consuming alcohol until you’re no longer on the medicines. For about a week, it’s best to avoid eating hard, crunchy, chewy, or brittle foods like chips, nuts, and popcorn. You might also find it difficult to properly chew tough cuts of meat. Instead, try getting your protein from dairy products.