What Can I Eat after Tooth Extraction? A Complete Guide

Tooth extraction is the surgery that leaves your mouth tender and sore. It means you can’t consume any kind of food easily and must be mindful about your food choices. For at least 24-48 hours post-surgery, avoid eating and stick to a soft diet for a few days.

Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers a wide range of services for kids and adults, from tooth extraction to Invisalign, along with thorough instructions on what to eat after tooth extraction.

Moreover, our team of experts also gives a detailed outline of what to eat and foods to avoid after tooth extraction. So, book your consultation today and get ahead on your journey to a brighter and wider smile.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to reduce numbness and share soft food ideas for after you’ve had a tooth pulled. Keep reading to learn more.

Read: 5 Ways To Manage Jaw Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

What Can I Eat After Oral Surgery?

After surgery, soreness and tenderness remain, and it takes several days to recover. During that time, you may not feel motivated to consume anything, which can be problematic. It’s challenging to fasten the recovery phase in the first two days by taking in enough nutrients. 

However, you can take soft foods enriched with nutrients to compensate for the loss. 

Now, you might be wondering what to eat 24 hours post-dental surgery. So, here is the brief that will help you choose the best.

Best Foods to Eat in 24 to 48 hours Post Dental Surgery

When 24 hours are gone post tooth extraction, you may wonder what you can eat 24 hours after tooth extraction. This is when most people feel very tender, and the best approach is to stick to soft foods only.

The dentist recommends not eating any hot food post-surgery as it can increase the blood flow, leading to bleeding again. Eat something cold; meanwhile, you help with the mouth numbness. 

Here are the foods that you can take in the first 48 hours after a tooth extraction:

Foods to Eat After 2–3 Days Post Tooth Extraction

You might be wondering when I can eat solid food after tooth extraction with stitches. After 48 hours, the time comes when the blood in the gums and at the extraction site starts clotting. At this stage, make sure that the blood clots are stable enough.

You are allowed to eat soft and hot food items that include

Food to Eat After 3– 5 Days Post Tooth Extraction

In the 2 to 5 days after tooth extraction, you can return to your normal food items, which require less chewing.

By the second day, as you realize that the blood clots and you are less likely to start bleeding, you can return to your comfort hot food. 

Furthermore, the food that needs less chewing and makes the best choice include

Food to Eat After Final Recovery

After recovery, you will be ready to taste different food items you have been craving for a few days. Select the foods that don’t irritate your healing gums and irritate the extraction site.

This is a critical stage that varies from person to person. If you are uncomfortable with the normal food choices, continue with the previous stage for longer. 

Furthermore, you can choose food items from the following categories.

Soft foods

Go with the food items that are soft, drinkable, and easy to chew. For example, mashed potatoes, smoothies, yogurt, well-cooked pasta, and soups are good choices. 

Moreover, do not use straws when drinking juice or smoothies, as suction can dislodge blood clots easily. 

Nutritious Foods

Proper nutrition is essential when recovering and going through the healing process after tooth extraction. Nutritious foods are those high in vitamins such as A, C, D, and calcium that are mandatory for tissue generation. 

Additionally, take protein-enriched foods that help repair tissues and promote overall healing. Protein sources include scrambled eggs, shredded chicken, fish, and lenticels. 

Nutritious food items include fruits and vegetables, a good source of multivitamins and minerals. Choose from mashed bananas, melons, mangoes, spinach, avocado, and other fruits and vegetables that fit your taste buds. 

Lastly, get hands-on dairy products to speed up healing and strengthen teeth. Take milk, yogurt, and cheese high in calcium and vitamin D. 

Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated is the best way to promote saliva production and healing when dealing with tooth extraction. With excessive loss of blood during extraction, there is a chance of dehydration, which can impede the healing process.

So, drink enough water and juices and take soups and smoothies to overcome dehydration. 

How Long Do You Need To Be Careful While Eating?

Generally, the dentist recommends taking soft food after 24 hours and gradually reintroducing regular food items that require less chewing. However, the first five days post-tooth extraction are critical, so be mindful of your diet. 

A professional offers a thorough guide about your situation and can better inform you what to eat and avoid after tooth extraction. Here is the list of foods to avoid after tooth extraction

Take away:

To sum up, deciding what solid food I can eat after tooth extraction is complicated. It depends on several factors, such as the healing time, the stitches situation at the extraction site, and others.

Make sure to take a healthy diet, which is easy to consume with no suction or chewing, as it can dislodge the blood clots. 

FAQs

How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?

Dentists recommend eating solid food items almost 24 hours after tooth extraction. However, it varies from case to case and regarding the healing situation. 

What foods are easy to consume after tooth extraction?

Certain food items are easy to eat after tooth extraction, including soft foods, some drinkables such as smoothies, and highly nutritious items such as yogurt and eggs.

What to eat for dinner after tooth extraction?

If the dinner time is within 24 hours after tooth extraction, avoid taking any solid item and eat something with high nutritional value, such as yogurt or scrambled egg. Moreover, avoid taking hot food items after a few hours. 

Can I eat pasta after tooth extraction?

No, the dentists recommend well-cooked pasta only after 2 to 5 days post-tooth extraction. Make sure to make it nutritious by adding enough protein sources. 

What fast food can you eat after a tooth extraction?

Fast food is not a healthy choice post-tooth extraction. So, avoid hot and fast food in the initial days. Instead, take nutritious and soft food items, including fruits and vegetables.