What happens if i eat solid food after tooth extraction

Jun 01, 2020

A tooth extraction involves complete removal of a tooth from its socket, leaving behind a gap. There are several reasons as to why you may have your tooth/teeth extracted which range from tooth decay, to overcrowding or even having impacted wisdom teeth. Whatever the reason for undergoing the procedure is, it is important to have the right care instructions to avoid complication and promote quick healing.

A top concern for most people after having a tooth removed is what to eat and when. Usually, your dentist will provide you with instructions of what to do depending on the position where the tooth was extracted and the technique used in extraction. The set of instructions should take you through the next couple of days following treatment, until the time where you are healed enough to carry on with your regular life without any worries.

Days 1-3

Immediately after an extraction, and in the few days following, the primary focus is usually to allow a blood clot to form on the site of extraction. You should experience low to no bleeding in the first 24 hours but in case there is active bleeding, make sure to reach out to your dentist asap.

Depending on the intrusiveness of the procedure, you may be allowed to start on liquid foods a few hours after a tooth extraction. Foods like ice-cream, soups, pudding, yogurt and cereal are okay. Completely avoid using a straw as the suction it creates can dislodge the clot covering your wound, leading to pain and bleeding which further delays healing. Rinsing, swishing, gurgling and spitting should also be avoided for the same reasons.

If by the second day there is less tenderness on site of extraction, you can begin to incorporate solid foods that do not necessarily require a lot of chewing. Within this period, you should not consume alcohol or smoke.  Take any medications prescribed to you and have plenty of rest.

Days 3-10

By now a clot will have properly formed on the extraction site. Aftercare involves keeping the clot in place and preventing any infection to the area. You can now perform saline rinses to kill any bacteria in the mouth that may cause infections. You can now begin to brush and floss like usual but while paying extra attention not to disturb the extraction site. For the areas you cannot brush or floss, a mouthwash or saline solution will do for the meantime.

When it comes to your diet, you will continue eating soft foods that are less likely to be trapped in the empty tooth socket. You can now eat foods with a thicket consistency like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, avocadoes, bananas, hummus and even salmon.

2 Weeks Later

Two weeks after the procedure, most people feel well enough to go back to their normal diet. Provided there was no complication you can resume eating more solid foods. You can also resume activities like exercise and sports.  During your next dental appointment your dentist will also be able to start preparation to replace the extracted tooth/teeth.

Foods to Avoid

It is obvious that after a tooth extraction, whether simple or through surgery, you should avoid eating hard foods. But that is not all you should stay away from, spicy foods and foods that may get trapped on the empty socket can just be as bad. Spicy foods can cause pain and irritation while crunchy and crumbly foods or seeds and grains can get into the empty socket and disrupt the healing process. Foods that need a lot of chewing are also not goods as there is risk of biting yourself, especially when the anesthesia is yet to completely wear off. Lastly, alcohol and cigarette are a no-go to after any dental procedure.

At Starry Dental, our Westwood dentist uses a personalized approach for every patient to ensure a pleasant dental experience. We will only recommend a tooth extraction if it is the best chance you have at ensuring good dental health. The dentist and staff are friendly and gentle while providing effective and quality tooth extraction treatments.

Can I eat after having a tooth pulled? Of course you can, but with a few caveats. Learn more about what you can and can't chew on post tooth extraction.

Oral care is vital to your overall health and well-being, and tooth extractions are essential for maintaining that health. According to theWorld Dental Federation, dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common chronic diseases in the world. Due to an increase in sugar intake, it's become a global health problem.

Although there are many factors that could lead to needing a tooth extraction, poor dental hygiene is one of the primary causes. Thankfully, getting your tooth pulled can get your oral health back on track. But once your tooth extraction is complete, after-care is required.

Are you wondering, "Can I eat after having a tooth pulled"? Well, we have those answers for you and more!

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extractionis a painless procedure in which a tooth or tooth roots are taken out with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues. The extraction process ensures that the socket will heal without any post-procedure complication.

Most of the time, a dental surgeon provides patients with a guide on how to care for their mouth after the extraction. Once the tooth is pulled, following thedentist's aftercare instructions ensures that there are no issues or delays in healing.

Furthermore, obeying post-extraction guidelines helps to minimize the risk of infection or dry socket afterwards.

Can I Eat After Having a Tooth Pulled?

You might be wondering, "How long after a tooth extraction can I eat"? Well, you can still eat, but there are certain foods you should avoid within a 24-hour period or longer. Here are the proper foods to consume:

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great food option for eating after tooth extraction surgery. Not only is it soft, but it's rich in nutrients that could help with recovery.

Plus, potatoes are a hearty root vegetable that fills you up quickly. Just make sure to eat them at a lukewarm temperature to avoid irritating the area where your tooth was pulled.

Scrambled Eggs

One of the best foods to eat after tooth extraction surgery is scrambled eggs. They are high in protein and other vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. Also, try to eat Omega-3 enriched eggs because omega-3 fats help to aid in recovery.

Luckily, scrambled eggs are easy to chew and swallow. You can add cheese and avocado on top to make the meal complete.

Smoothies

Smoothies work well for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Add in a scoop of protein powder to give yourself a boost, and fill the smoothie with lots of healthy fruits and vegetables.

Smoothies are a tasty way to get all of the vitamins that you need, as well as ensure that you don't disrupt the recovery process.

Soup

Blended soups such as tomato, pumpkin, or French onion are perfect meal options for eating after tooth extraction procedures. Not only are they tasty, but they're full of nutrient-rich vegetables to keep you strong and help you heal faster.

Blended soups also provide hydration, which is vital after a tooth extraction.

Avoid eating soup with large chunks of vegetables, and eat the soup at a lukewarm temperature so you don't irritate your wound.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a tasty snack that's high in protein and calcium. Foods that are high in protein help to aid in recovery, so eat as much of it as possible.

Yogurt also has a creamy texture that is easy to consume after getting your tooth pulled.

How to Eat After Tooth Extraction Surgery: Food To Avoid

There are certain foods that you should completely stay away from after an extraction. Your mouth will thank you! Here are the foods to avoid:

Spicy Foods

After a tooth extraction, it's imperative to stay away from spicy food. Spices like cayenne pepper or paprika can get down into your extraction wound and cause irritation. If the area is irritated, it'll take longer to heal.

Chewy Foods

Chewy foods are not a good option after a tooth extraction. Chewy foods tend to be sticky, and they could get down into the area where your tooth was taken out. Again, that could lead to irritation and delayed healing.

Meat

If you are a meat-eater, you might be wondering," When can I eat solid food after a tooth extraction"? But that answer all depends on how quickly the area heals.

Meat is chewy, and it's a food that requires a lot of chomping and grinding of the teeth as you eat. But as your extraction wound is healing, you want to avoid that as much as possible. You may be able to eat meat after 24 hours, but it may take several days.

Alcoholic Beverages

Avoid alcohol completely after your tooth is pulled. Alcoholic beverages could delay recovery and negatively interact with medication that the dentist prescribed.

Don't drink any wine, beer, or liquor until after your meds are finished and your wound is completely recovered.

Crunchy Foods

It may be tempting to grab snacks when you can't have solid food after an extraction, but be careful. Food such as chips or cookies can get lodged into the extraction area and slow the healing process. Stay away from nuts and other crunch foods as well.

Take Care of Your Smile

Hopefully, we answered your question of," Can I eat after having a tooth pulled"? Of course you can, but please be careful. You don't want something as simple as a tooth extraction to lead to bigger issues!

If you're in need of dental care, we can help. We offer avariety of services from root canals to braces. Our office is located in Lutz, Florida and we'd be happy to help you with your dental care needs.

Feel free tocontact us if you have any questions. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

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