What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

One procedure offered at our dental practice is tooth extraction. This might be for a patient who needs to have wisdom teeth removed, or for someone whose teeth were damaged or cracked in an accident. Other patients may need to have a tooth extraction due to decay, infection, or overcrowding. In some cases, compromised teeth may need to be removed as the result of certain types of medical care.

How Soon After a Tooth Extraction Can I Eat?

After a tooth extraction, it’s important to give your mouth time to start healing before you eat solid foods. For the first 24 hours, stick to liquids and very soft foods like yogurt, pudding, and applesauce. Avoid hot liquids and foods that require chewing. After the initial 24-hour period, you can gradually introduce more solid, but still soft, foods as your mouth heals.

25 Soft Foods to Eat After Tooth Extraction

1. Yogurt
2. Pudding
3. Applesauce
4. Ice cream (without crunchy bits)
5. Smoothies
6. Mashed potatoes
7. Soup (blended or pureed)
8. Broth
9. Jello
10. Cottage cheese
11. Scrambled eggs
12. Soft tofu
13. Oatmeal
14. Cream of wheat
15. Avocado
16. Hummus
17. Mashed banana
18. Mashed pumpkin
19. Blended vegetable soup
20. Soft rice
21. Soft pasta
22. Steamed and mashed carrots
23. Polenta
24. Soft-cooked cereals
25. Applesauce

Can You Eat Fast Food After Tooth Extraction?

It’s best to avoid fast food immediately after a tooth extraction because these foods are often too hard, crunchy, or chewy and can interfere with the healing process. Additionally, many fast foods are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which are not ideal for recovery. Stick to the recommended soft foods for at least a few days, and when you do resume eating fast food, choose softer options like mashed potatoes or soft-cooked items.

When Can I Stop Worrying About a Dry Socket?

A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site dislodges or dissolves, exposing the underlying bone and nerves. This condition can be very painful and delay healing. Most cases of dry socket occur within the first 3 to 5 days after tooth extraction. By the end of the first week, the risk of developing a dry socket significantly decreases, but it’s still important to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.

Foods to Eat After Tooth Extraction: A Detailed Timeline

First 24 Hours

• Liquids and very soft foods: yogurt, pudding, soup, applesauce, gelatin, ice cream without crunchy bits.
• Avoid swirling liquids in your mouth to prevent dislodging clots.

48 Hours After Extraction

• Introduce more variety: eggs, soft toast, oatmeal, soft tofu.
• Continue avoiding crunchy, hard, and spicy foods.

3 Days After Extraction

• Mix in more options: mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, soft rice, pasta, squash, hummus, ripe soft fruits, mashed avocado.
• Start gently rinsing with warm salt water to reduce bacteria.

1 Week After Extraction

• Gradually incorporate harder foods: monitor for any signs of trouble like bleeding gums.
• Avoid very hard, crunchy, or sticky foods until fully healed.

What Foods Should I Avoid After a Tooth Extraction?

• Hard-to-chew meats: Opt for flaky fish like tuna.
• Hard vegetables: Avoid raw carrots or broccoli.
• Spicy foods: These can irritate the extraction site.
• Crusty bread: Could cause damage to the gums.
• Fruits with peels and seeds: These can get stuck in the extraction site.
• Nuts, chips, dried fruit: Too hard or chewy.
• Sticky foods: Like gum and taffy.

What Drinks Should I Stay Away From After Tooth Extraction?

• Alcohol: It can interfere with healing.
• Hot beverages: These can increase swelling and cause discomfort.
• Drinks with ice: Unless blended in a smoothie.
• Using straws: Avoid for at least 24 hours to prevent dry socket.

How Long Does It Take For A Tooth Extraction To Heal?

Each case is different, depending on the extent of work needed to remove your tooth, and your overall health. In general, most patients take about 7-10 days to heal. It is important that you follow our instructions carefully during this time so as not to interfere with the healing process.

Foods That You Can Enjoy After a Tooth Extraction

Here again, the foods you can safely enjoy after a tooth extraction depends on the extent of the work performed, and your other personal health factors. If any of these suggestions conflict with your normal health regime, ask our staff for safe alternatives. Some great ideas include:

• Yogurt: This is generally soft, does not require chewing, and is easy to swallow. Yogurt usually contains different nutrients and proteins that are healthy, and helpful to healing. Avoid yogurts with any crunchy extras that could damage the gums or area around the extraction.
• Cold foods: These often help to provide some relief from any mild discomfort you may experience. Look for cold items that melt easily, without causing gum damage.
• Soups: Easy-to-eat soups and broths can be a comforting source of nutrition and hydration. Try to stick with a blended pumpkin soup, or a vegetable soup containing potatoes or carrots that become soft when cooked. If the soup has too much texture, you can blend or puree it to make it easier to eat.

Continue to follow the instructions we provide for care and pain relief. If you feel ill or notice anything unusual during your recovery, do not hesitate to contact our office, so we can provide additional direction, or schedule an appointment if needed. Although it is rare, infection after tooth extraction can occur.

To learn more about some common questions that are asked by our patients about tooth extraction, visit our education page on the subject. We have taken all the questions that our patients commonly ask and had them answered by our dentists and oral surgeons.