What Food You Can Eat After Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is a challenging process that brings a lot of discomfort. If you recently extracted your regular or wisdom tooth and are looking for a proper diet plan, then you are at the right place. In this unique article, we have summarized a list of foods that you can and cannot eat after tooth extraction. Without any further delay, let’s begin with our article.
What is Tooth Extraction?
The dental procedure in which the dentist or surgeon carefully removes a tooth from its socket in the bone is called tooth extraction. Tooth extraction can be done for multiple reasons. Your dentist or oral surgeon may suggest tooth extraction if you are suffering from infection, tooth decay, etc.
Tooth extraction is of the following types:
1. Simple Extraction:
A simple extraction is a minor procedure that involves the extraction of a visible tooth with special instruments including forceps, elevator, etc.
2. Surgical Extraction:
As the name suggests, surgical extraction involves surgery for removing a tooth from its place. It is a complex process in comparison with simple extraction. Surgical extraction is commonly used for extraction of those teeth that are broken off at the gum line. The teeth that cannot be accessed easily by simple equipment require surgical extraction.
Why is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Tooth extraction is necessary for various reasons. If you are suffering from some teeth problem and are confused about whether you require a tooth extraction or not, then this part of the article is just for you. Read on to know why tooth extraction is necessary:
- For the treatment of extreme levels of tooth decay.
- Tooth extraction is important to avoid the spread of infection to other teeth.
- It is used to treat impacted molar or wisdom teeth.
- For orthodontic treatment
- Removal of fractured teeth
Can You Eat After Regular Teeth Removal and Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Whether or not you are planning a tooth extraction for a regular tooth or wisdom tooth, the process and healing time are almost the same. However, extracting a wisdom tooth is a little bit challenging. Read on to know the foods that you can and cannot eat, whether you are going for a regular teeth removal or wisdom teeth removal.
Can You Eat Immediately After Tooth Extraction Surgery?
No doubt, tooth extraction can be a painful process. It is recommended that you should not consume anything for the first 4 hours after a tooth extraction surgery. Doing so can easily disrupt the blot clot. A blood clot also known as a thrombus is an important part of the body’s natural healing process. Please note that it is not advisable to spit, suck or rinse as doing such actions can damage the clot which will result in the slow recovery of the wound.
Also, when dentists or surgeons perform a tooth extraction surgery, they apply local anesthetics to make your mouth numb. Do not consume anything while your mouth is numb. Because it is a possibility that you can bite your cheek or tongue without realizing it.
List of Food That You Can Eat After 24-48 Hours:
After 24-48 hours of tooth extraction surgery, you may still feel pain, or feel like your mouth is tender. However, this is normal. The surgical area is still sensitive and it is important to consume a soft-food diet during this time. A soft-food diet is a specific diet that is easy to chew and swallow. Whether tooth extraction was done by a minor procedure or it was a surgery, it is important to take the following food items for the first two days:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes, etc.
After the first 24 hours, you can rinse, suck or spit gently when required. It is important to avoid the following food items for 1 or 2 days after tooth extraction:
- Chilled food
- Hot meals
- All types of sticky food including chewing gum, candies, etc.
- Fizzy drinks
- Citrus fruits
- Spicy foods
- Food containing nuts or seeds
- Chewy food including meat
List of Food That You Can Eat After One Week:
Once you notice that the clot has developed and the wound is healing, you can slightly shift your diet from soft food to the following meals:
- Noodles
- Rice
- Non-chewy bread items
- Soft Vegetables
- Cheese
- Pasta
After a week do not abruptly change your diet and start eating the above-mentioned products. The surgical site is still sensitive and it is important to consult your doctor before changing your diet. It is advisable to slightly test food before eating it. If you’re comfortable, proceed and if not, consult your doctor and follow that soft diet plan.
List of Food That You Can Eat Beyond One Week:
Maintaining a stable diet is one of the most important factors for the quick healing of tooth extraction surgical places. It’s not easy to predict what you will be safe to eat from those 7 days onwards. It totally depends on the healing process and the condition of the surgical place. After 7 days of tooth extraction surgery, you can try to test some more solid food. It should be noted that it requires several weeks for proper healing of tooth extraction wounds. The extraction site might look stable but there is the possibility of having a hole at the extraction site. The list of food that you can eat beyond one week includes the following:
- Soft fruits
- Dairy products include yogurt, cheese, eggs, cottage cheese, pudding, etc.
- Soups
- Cooked grains
- Pancakes
- Oatmeals, etc.
When You Can Start Brushing Your Teeth After Tooth Extraction?
Those people who have had a tooth extraction surgery or people who are planning to have a tooth extraction should not ignore this question. It is strictly forbidden to brush your teeth within 24 hours of surgery. Because the body is forming a clot for healing. Brushing your teeth within 24 hours of tooth extraction will result in pain as well as disruption of blood clots.