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.
While a hearty meal might be tempting after a long visit to the dentist’s office, your dentist or oral surgeon at Rockcliffe Dental & Denture Centre might recommend that you eat only soft foods following specific dental procedures. For example, after the placement of dental implants or a wisdom tooth extraction, a soft food diet is necessary in order to allow for your bone and gum tissues to heal. Below, you will find a list of the best
soft foods to eat after dental surgery or other procedures to keep you full and support the healing process. Oral surgery may include dental implant placement, tooth extraction, bone graft or
gum graft surgery, wisdom teeth removal, or a root canal. After the treatment, your jaw and mouth can feel sore, and eating soft foods after dental surgery will help to reduce irritation on an open wound and avoid biting on the
treated tooth. As such, a soft food diet helps to ensure proper healing and recovery after the surgery. While a soft food diet may seem limited, the truth is that there is a wide variety of nutritious and delicious foods that don’t require much chewing. As such, the American Dental Association recommends sticking to these soft foods after dental surgery: Keep in mind that the temperature of the foods you eat can also affect the healing process. For example,
sipping a hot beverage like tea or coffee can irritate the gum tissue around the surgery site and complicate the recovery process. Try to drink warm drinks and eat warm soup, not piping hot!Why are Soft Foods Necessary?
Choosing the Right Soft Foods to Encourage Healing
According to the University of Michigan, consuming a balanced diet with sufficient amounts of protein can help your body heal. Protein is an important building block that helps to repair muscle, tissue, and skin.
When it comes to soft foods after dental surgery, consider these nutritious options:
- Soups with chicken or beef broth are an excellent source of protein.
- Protein powder mixed with water or milk is a good option to easily get more protein.
- Mashed avocado is rich in healthy fats and easy to eat.
- Kiwi, peaches, and strawberries are easy to chew and high in Vitamin C, which is necessary to repair tissues.
What Foods NOT to Eat after Dental Work
While recovering after your dental surgery, be mindful of certain food groups that should be avoided:
- Certain drinks. Avoid drinks like alcohol, coffee, as well as carbonated and hot beverages.
- Spicy foods. Spicy foods can irritate the gums and lead to pain and discomfort.
- Orange juice. Orange and other acidic juices can cause burning and irritate the surgical site.
- Tomatoes and tomato sauce. Similar to orange juice, tomatoes are acidic and may lead to pain and burning when they come in contact with a surgical site.
- Popcorn. Popcorn hulls can hurt the gums and get stuck near the treatment area.
- Seeds. Any seeds can get stuck in the surgical site and lead to discomfort or injection.
- Cracked pepper. Similar to seeds, this can get lodged and lead to pain.
- Difficult to chew or crunchy foods. These foods can disturb the blood clotting after the surgery.
In addition, make sure not to drink from a straw for a week, as the sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a painful condition called “dry socket.” Also, avoid smoking for at least 24 hours after oral surgery in Ottawa, as this could impede the healing process.
Soft Food Options Throughout the Day
While you might have to give up popcorn and crunchy apples for some time, it doesn’t mean that you have to eat the same thing with every meal. Of course, eating ice cream or sipping on milkshakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is tempting. However, these options are high in sugar, which, in turn, can increase your risks of getting gingivitis and dental decay.
Instead, consider other, healthier alternatives of soft foods after dental surgery:
Breakfast:
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Low-sugar yogurt
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Soft cheeses
Lunch:
- Lentil soup
- Butternut squash
- Mashed potatoes
- Well-cooked pasta
- Chicken or tuna salad
Dinner:
- Steamed soft vegetables like peas or squash
- Tilapia or other white fish
- Grits or polenta
- Ground beef
Introducing Crunchy Foods Back into the Diet
Your dental surgeon in Ottawa will let you know when you can start introducing hard or crunchy foods
back and revert to your regular diet. Make sure to ask your dental professional for specific instructions and follow the aftercare tips to keep your mouth healthy and support the healing process.
Learn More About Dental Surgery at Rockcliffe Dental & Denture Centre
If you are still wondering what soft foods to eat after dental surgery or any other type of dental procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out and consult one of the experienced Ottawa oral surgeons working at Rockcliffe Dental & Denture Centre. Give us a call today.
Read More:
- Oral Surgery in Ottawa
- 5 Common Oral Surgeries in Ottawa
- What Can You Eat After Dental Implant Surgery: a Full Guide