What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth Extractions in Dublin, OH

Tooth extractions can be painful, and it’s important to realize how to care for your extraction site afterwards to promote healing. Knowing what to eat and what not to eat is a good place to start. 

Like any kind of dental procedure, you should stick to soft foods and liquids so as not to irritate the extraction site. Soft foods that are easy to consume should be eaten for the first 24 hours after your procedure. After 24 hours, you can ease into more of a normal diet, when you feel comfortable doing so. 

It’s important to try to stick with easy-to-chew foods for the first few days. Some examples include: 

• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Jell-O
• Ice cream
• Applesauce

After the first day, you can try a wider variety of foods:

• Mashed potatoes
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal
• Pancakes
• Broth-based soups

What Not To Eat

After having a tooth extracted, your body will need time to heal. You should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours following the surgery. If you are taking any powerful pain medications, you should avoid consuming alcohol until you are no longer on the medications. 

For about a week, it is advised to avoid eating hard, chewy, crunchy or brittle foods. These could include chips, nuts and popcorn. 

How To Eat

How you eat your food is equally as important as the types of foods you consume after an extraction. You should try to only chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the treated area. Since you’ll likely be consuming more liquids than solids following the procedure, it might be tempting to use a drinking straw. This is not advisable because the suction of the straw could dislodge the blood clot and lengthen your total healing time. 

Having a tooth extracted is a common procedure that many people will go through in their lifetime. Knowing how to care for your extraction site can speed up the recovery process. If you have any questions about tooth extractions, please call our office at (614) 799-5576.