What to Eat After Teeth Removal

Your mouth is going to feel a bit strange after a tooth is removed. Maybe it is numb. Maybe it is tender.. Chewing suddenly feels like far more work than it should. For the day or so the safest approach is to keep food soft and avoid anything that could disturb the healing area.

You don’t need to survive on water though. There are plenty of foods that feel like food while still being gentle on your mouth.

Start With Soft Foods

Once the numbness has worn off enough for you to eat safely go for foods that need little chewing. Soft texture matters more than having a meal plan.

Foods That Usually Work Well

• Mashed potato is a winner especially when its smooth and warm rather than piping hot.

• Yoghurt from the fridge can feel surprisingly soothing. Just choose one without toppings.

• Scrambled eggs work well if they’re cooked until soft. They’re much more filling than you might expect.

• A smooth soup can be comforting. Let it cool first because very hot food isn’t what the extraction site needs.

• Oatmeal is another choice although keeping it fairly smooth makes eating much easier on day one.

What to Eat During the First Days

After the first day you can slowly bring more foods back as your mouth feels better. Soft pasta, flaky fish or cooked vegetables can work once chewing isn’t uncomfortable. The trick is to keep food from the extraction site as much as you reasonably can.

And chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It sounds obvious. Once you’re hungry you stop thinking about it.

Foods to Leave Alone for Now

Some foods are simply annoying after an extraction. Crunchy foods can scrape the area. Sticky foods can cling around it. Small pieces of food can get trapped in the healing socket.

Avoid these for a while:

• Crisps and hard snacks because those sharp edges have a habit of finding the exact sore spot.

•. Seeds. They can get lodged around the extraction area, which’s the last thing you want to deal with.

• Spicy food, particularly if your mouth already feels irritated.

• Chewy. Anything sticky that makes you work your jaw harder than necessary.

What About Drinks After Tooth Removal?

Keep yourself hydrated. Drink gently. Water is the choice and honestly its the one I’d stick with most.

Don’t use a straw after an extraction unless your dentist specifically tells you otherwise. The sucking action can disturb the blood clot that forms, over the socket increasing the risk of a condition called dry socket.

Alcohol is best avoided while you’re healing particularly if you’ve been prescribed medication.. Very hot drinks aren’t ideal immediately afterwards either. Your usual cup of tea can wait.

When Can You Eat Normally Again?

There’s no hour when your mouth suddenly announces that chewing is allowed. As the area settles, gradually return to your diet. Start with versions of foods you enjoy then move towards firmer foods when they feel comfortable.

If pain starts getting worse of better bleeding doesn’t settle or you notice signs of infection contact your dentist. A little tenderness is expected. Getting increasingly miserable days later isn’t something to simply eat your way through.