After having a tooth pulled, the healing process begins. Eating the right foods can ensure you remain healthy and strong enough to get through it without any issues, such as infection or inflammation.
However, you will want to be careful as you don’t want to put the surgical site at risk.
This article explores eating after a tooth extraction — and how long you have to wait.
What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?
Immediately following your tooth extraction, you are likely to still feel numb. This is thanks to the local anesthetic that would have been given to eliminate pain or discomfort during the procedure. The numbness may last for an hour or two following your procedure, but it will soon wear off. It is best not to consume food until it does.
Your dental team will give you a list of aftercare instructions. Follow these guidelines as they will keep the area protected and promote healing.
It will take about a week for you to begin feeling much better — even normal. But it is important to remember that full healing takes about a month or two, maybe longer. This is something to keep in mind as you make decisions on what foods to eat.
Foods You Can Eat Following an Extraction: 24 Hours
During the first 24 hours after the numbness wears off from your tooth extraction, you will want to take it easy when it comes to choosing foods. Select things that are soft or liquid, such as:
- Yogurt (without any add-ins)
- Broth
- Smoothies
- Pudding
- Jello
- Ice cream
- Eggs
Avoid hot foods, letting them cool to lukewarm before consuming them. Further, dry socket is a painful condition that can result from the suction action of drinking with a straw—don’t do it.
Foods You Can Eat Following an Extraction: Day 2+
On day two following your tooth extraction, you can begin to add more solid foods to your diet. Continue to avoid anything that involves heavy chewing, such as certain candies, overly hard or crunchy foods, like nuts and pretzels, and spicy foods.
Here are a few foods you can consider adding to your list:
- Pasta
- Soups
- Soft vegetables
- Chicken
- Cheese
- Tofu
- Ground beef, chicken, or turkey
- Yogurt with fruit
- Bread
As you continue healing over the next few weeks, slowly begin adding more foods to your diet. Just be sure to chew on the opposite side of the extraction for the best opportunity for healing.
Do You Need a Tooth Extraction?
Are you in need of a tooth extraction? The surgical team at Rio Grande Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center can provide you with the best treatment for those in and around the Albuquerque area.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 505-821-2111 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Question
How long do you have to wait for dental implants after an extraction?
Typically you will want to wait until the extraction area is fully healed before moving forward with a dental implant. However, in certain circumstances, the dental implants can be placed immediately following the extraction.
What happens if you don’t replace an extracted tooth?
Because each tooth relies on those around it for support, replacing an extracted tooth is crucial. Without it, the teeth may begin to shift and lead to additional oral health concerns in the future.