A Guide to Eating After Tooth Extraction
It's not necessary to starve after having a tooth removed. Here's what you need to know about eating after tooth extraction and some suggestions for soft foods.
Did you know that you have 32 teeth, and you can have between 1-4 wisdom teeth, but that anywhere between 5% - 37% of people are missing one or more of them? Wisdom teeth are considered your third set of molars, and most people end up getting them removed because of complications or to prevent issues.
Right after you need to get any dental procedure, it's painful to eat. Keep reading, and we will walk you through eating after tooth extraction and the eight best foods to have on hand.
What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction?
Did you recently get your wisdom teeth out, or did you need to get a tooth pulled that either wouldn't budge or was causing you a lot of pain? We are here to help you make the post-pulling of your teeth a little less painful.
You want to make sure you choose soft foods to eat after to avoid causing infection, complications, or more pain.
First, let's touch a little bit on tooth extraction.
Teeth Removal
You need to get a tooth removed when there is trauma, disease, or crowding. If a filling or crown can't fix a tooth, you most likely need to get it removed to avoid further damage or pain.
You need to remove wisdom teeth because of complications. The complications can include tooth pain, swelling, redness, impacted teeth trying to push out, infections, cavities, and can lead to other teeth shifting.
Let's look at safe, soft foods to eat after tooth extraction.
Eating After Tooth Extraction
Whether you're asking yourself, "What can I eat after tooth extraction?" or for a list of soft foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal, so you're prepared, we are going to provide you with eight soft foods to eat after any tooth extraction.
You want to make sure that you are staying nourished, even with limited options compared to your regular diet. If you have any questions about what you can eat or need to see a dentist after your surgery, we are here for you.
Let's look at eight soft foods to eat after tooth extraction:
1. Soup
During the first few days after you have surgery, soup should be at the top of your list of soft foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal.
Pureed vegetable soups are healthy and easy on your mouth and teeth because there aren't large pieces of vegetable or meat that you would have to chew.
Soup has potassium, vitamin A and fiber and will keep you nourished if you want the taste of chicken or protein, strain chicken noodle soup to get rid of the big pieces, and have the broth.
Be careful not to eat the soup hot; make sure it's lukewarm or cold because if it's too hot, it will hurt where your tooth was extracted and might cause infection.
2. Applesauce
Applesauce is made with little ingredients and is mostly pureed apples. It's very soft and the perfect temperature for people recovering from tooth surgery.
Applesauce can help with proper digestion, which is essential because your diet may be off for a little after having your teeth extracted. It includes vitamin C, K, and potassium and is a healthy snack option when you're craving something a little sweeter.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is a light food that is another great healthy breakfast or snack to have after wisdom teeth removal or if you get a tooth pulled. You should get plain yogurt that doesn't have pieces of fruit or granola in it.
Yogurt includes probiotics that are good for your digestion and can help boost your immune system. It provides B vitamins and vitamin D.
4. Eggs
Eggs are a source of protein and good for breakfast or dinner when you need to be easy on your teeth and mouth after surgery. Eggs have vitamins A and B-12, which help keep up your immune system.
Scrambled is the softest way to make eggs because they're easy to eat, and you don't have to chew. You could even add cheese before you scramble the eggs for extra flavor.
5. Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal is less chewy than regular oatmeal, but you should be cautious before eating it, depending on what dental procedure you had done. If you got any wisdom teeth taken out, you should wait about three days before eating oatmeal.
To avoid irritating your mouth, make sure that the oatmeal is lukewarm before you eat it. Oatmeal has a lot of fiber and has a lot of vitamins and minerals to keep up your energy and make you feel full.
6. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a great vegetable to add to the list of foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal.
You can get a lot of nutrients and energy in only a quick few bites of mashed potatoes, which you may need if you're struggling to eat a lot initially after your dental surgery. Again, make sure the potatoes are lukewarm or cold.
7. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a soft source of protein that you can eat as a snack, or you can add it to enhance your other meals.
For example, you can add it to eggs or blend them into smoothies for extra flavor.
8. Ice Cream
Ice cream is not only delicious but is one of the most recommended foods after you have a dental procedure.
It's incredibly soft and cold, which can help with swelling and soothe the extracted are of your tooth.
Treat yourself after your surgery and get your favorite ice cream, and as your recovery process goes on, if you're looking for a healthier option, try making
banana ice cream .
Get Prepared
Now that you can answer "What can I eat after tooth extraction?", you're ready to make your grocery list and prepare for after surgery.
Light foods are vital for eating after tooth extraction for a quick and painless recovery process.
Get your soft foods of choice before
your dental surgery today or become a new patient with us today!
