Eating After a Simple Extraction
After a simple tooth extraction, eating properly is an important part of the healing process. The mouth is sensitive following the procedure, and the extraction site needs time to form a protective blood clot and begin healing. Choosing the right foods—and avoiding the wrong ones—can help prevent pain, infection, or complications such as dry socket.
In the first 24 hours after extraction, it’s best to avoid eating solid foods altogether. Instead, patients should stick to soft or liquid options like smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, broths, or mashed potatoes. These foods are gentle on the extraction site and don’t require chewing. Hot foods and drinks should be avoided immediately after the procedure because heat can dissolve the blood clot and delay healing. Cold or room-temperature foods are safer during the first day.
What to eat after a simple tooth extraction?
In the days following a tooth extraction, it is best to adopt a liquid or soft diet. This prevents damage to the gums and provides rest for chewing activity, contributing to the rapid recovery of gum tissue. After tooth extraction, these are the recommended foods:
Cold soup
It should be served at room temperature or slightly warm. Besides being creamy and easy to consume, the soup is rich in nutrients that promote health and contribute to strengthening the immune system.
Scrambled eggs
Easy to chew, scrambled eggs are excellent for consuming an adequate daily amount of protein without compromising gum recovery. As with soup, they should be served gently warm or at room temperature to avoid damaging the surgical site
Smoothies
A smoothie is similar to a shake. This drink contains one or more types of fruit, plain yogurt, and a little milk. The advantage of the smoothie, besides its creaminess, is the concentration of vitamins, minerals (especially calcium), and protein. The only recommendation here is to avoid citrus fruits, as they irritate the gum area, especially the area where the tooth was extracted. Some fruit suggestions are: papaya, banana, apple, peach, avocado, etc.
Creamy ice cream
It's the top food recommended after a simple extraction. Creamy and cold, ice cream is perfect for preventing swelling at the surgical site and helps gums heal faster. The key is to only consume the ice cream. That is, avoid items that sometimes accompany it, such as cones, chocolate sprinkles, cherries, sprinkles, etc.
What should you not eat after a tooth extraction?
After a simple extraction, another precaution related to daily nutrition is to avoid certain items that can hinder recovery and even cause damage to the gums, causing swelling, pain, and inflammation.
After tooth extraction, this is what you can't eat:
Acidic foods or drinks
The acidity contained in foods such as tomato sauce, ketchup, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, lemons, grapes, kiwis, passion fruit, etc., hinders healing and causes gum irritation. For this reason, acidic foods or drinks delay recovery and can lead to more serious problems, such as inflammation at the surgical site.
Spicy items
You should also avoid eating spicy foods, foods with a high amount of pepper, or excessive seasoning. They delay healing due to the severe irritation caused in the gum area where the tooth was extracted.
Crunchy foods
Crunchy foods contain particles that damage the gum area and significantly hinder healing. This is precisely why these foods should be avoided.
In Conclusion
Eating after a simple extraction requires patience and care. Soft, cool foods should be prioritized in the first few days, while crunchy, chewy, or hot foods should be avoided until healing is complete. Following these guidelines helps protect the blood clot, reduce pain, and promote faster recovery. By being cautious about what and how you eat, you can help your mouth heal comfortably and avoid complications. Call us today with any questions!