Tooth extraction is a general operation that can be necessitated by tooth infection, gum disease, or crowding. On average, it takes between 7-10 days for you to recover after having a tooth extracted fully. And during this period, you may find it very difficult to eat due to pain and discomfort. However, you must keep eating during the recovery period for you to keep your strength up and stay healthy. But it’s just as important to know which food for you to avoid and which food is safe to eat after tooth extraction to minimize discomfort and to prevent bleeding.
Food to Avoid
Consuming Any Liquids Using Straws. First off, you should NEVER drink any beverage with a straw after tooth extraction as the suction can immediately remove clots and lead to dry sockets, bleeding, and pain. If you’re going for a fruit smoothie-based diet, do away with the straw and drink it from the glass or bottle.
Hard, Crunchy, and Grainy Food. After tooth extraction, you’d want to minimize chewing or using your gums, jaw, and teeth as much as possible. That said, it’s best to hold off on any hard and crunchy snacks that would force you to bite down hard or would have bits (small fragments of chips and grains) get stuck in the empty socket that can irritate it.
Spicy and Acidic Dishes.
Sorry, spice-lovers, but you should take a break from eating your favorite spicy curry dishes or spicy wings for a week or so. Spicy food, as you can guess, would irritate the affected site and may cause it to be inflamed, which can be very painful. Acidic food can also hinder the healing process and irritate as well.
The bottom line is that you should avoid food that can agitate or irritate the affected area or cause bleeding. So, on to the food that you CAN eat while you’re recovering:
Soup. Soup is perfect for those who’ve just had teeth extraction as they’re easy to digest and can be very nutritious (depending on which soup you’re eating). However, it’s essential to take note that the soup should be served warm, NOT hot, to sooth the affected muscles and avoid having the heat agitate it. It’s also vital to avoid soup that has small bits that can get stuck in the empty socket, and even soups that would require you to chew. So you’ll want to go for soup with soft pasta and veggies, and perhaps a few less-than-bite-size chunks of meat.
Ice Cream. This is perhaps one of the staples among post-tooth-extraction food; in fact, you’ve probably seen many movies and shows where those who’ve had their wisdom tooth removed are hunched over a tub of ice cream while they recover. Ice cream is a good choice since the coldness can easily and effectively minimize swelling — make sure you avoid sprinkles and chewy toppings/mix-ins and choose a cup instead of a crunchy cone. So, if you don’t have sensitive teeth, go and treat yourself with a tasty scoop of ice cream from your favorite Coffee shop that serves liquid nitrogen ice cream in Sterling Heights.
Smoothies
Cold or slightly-chilled fruit smoothies are a great alternative to getting your daily dose of fiber, protein, and vitamins while you’re still not able to eat hard food. You can even add yogurt and other add-ons to improve taste and nutrition further. Just make sure that you don’t use a straw when you drink it, and also avoid making smoothies that have grains or seeds that can enter the empty socket.
Conclusion
You have to choose food that is soft and cool (or lukewarm at most), and avoid those that are crunchy, hard, and spicy. Regardless of which food you choose, make sure that you continue eating to prevent weight and energy loss, and getting sick, and to call your dentist if you encounter any issues along the way.
