For some people, thinking about food brings them comfort and joy, and can be something to look forward to.
After a tooth extraction, it’s important to be mindful of the food we consume to encourage a comfortable and quick recovery.
24 to 48 hours following the procedure, patients can reintroduce soft solid foods into their diet, such as mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or scrambled eggs.
Avoid eating hard, sticky foods to protect the extraction site and reduce the risk of complications.
How Tooth Extractions Preserve Oral Health
For most people, a tooth extraction is far from the top of their dental bucket list. The idea of losing a tooth can evoke anxiety, but this common dental procedure serves as a vital component of oral health when necessary.
Tooth extractions are often done when a tooth becomes too damaged by decay or injury to be repaired through treatments like fillings or crowns. They are also used to prevent or treat infections where the tooth is the source of significant pain or swelling, like in cases of untreated cavities or advanced gum disease.
Wisdom teeth extractions are also increasingly common. These are recommended when the molars fail to erupt correctly, leading to pain, crowding, or risk of infection.
Ignoring the need for an extraction can result in complications like abscesses, bone infections, or damage to neighboring teeth and prioritizing recovery and healing after a tooth extraction is necessary for preserving oral health.
Healing After a Tooth Extraction
Once the tooth is removed, the body immediately shifts gears to focus on recovery. Familiarizing yourself with what to expect can help facilitate a smooth healing process.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
After your extraction, you can expect some swelling and mild to moderate discomfort around the site for the first 24 to 48 hours. This is a normal part of the healing process.
During this time, your dentist will provide instructions on managing pain, typically with over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Taking these medicines in time will significantly help reduce the pain post extraction.
You’ll also form a blood clot at the extraction site. It’s critical to protect this blood clot and socket as it begins to heal and prevent complications such as a dry socket–a painful condition where the blood clot becomes dislodged–from forming.
This blood clot acts as a protective layer over the underlying bone and nerve endings, shielding them from exposure to air, food particles, and bacteria.
Without this protective barrier, the healing process can be significantly delayed, causing pain and increasing the risk of infection.
Over the next 1–2 weeks, the gums and surrounding tissue will start to regenerate. Full healing, especially for more extensive extractions, can take several weeks.
Tips to Promote Healing
Taking care of the extraction site is important to prevent complications, like a dry socket, from forming:
- Follow your dentist’s instructions: Your dentist will go over aftercare techniques, including rinsing your mouth with salt water, avoiding using straws, and applying ice to reduce swelling.
- Keep the area clean: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after 24 hours. Avoid brushing the area until your dentist gives the all-clear.
- Rest: Tooth extractions are oral surgeries, therefore, rest is very important. Avoid strenuous activities for at least a day or two to give your body the energy it needs to heal.
- Drink lots of water: Stay hydrated throughout the day. Drinking water can protect the extraction site by flushing food particles away.
- Monitor your health: Continuously check for signs of infection, like prolonged swelling, excessive bleeding, or pain, and contact your dentist right away if you experience extreme discomfort.
Eating After a Tooth Extraction
Preserving the blood clot surrounding the extraction site is pivotal to having a safe, and comfortable recovery.
Immediately after the procedure, avoid eating anything until the anesthetic wears off. Eating too soon can cause you to bite your lips or tongue inadvertently due to numbness!
Once your mouth regains sensation, you can start with soft, liquid-based foods such as smoothies (no straws!) yogurt, or soup.
Eating Solid Food
As a general rule, 24 to 48 hours following the extraction, we can gradually reintroduce solid foods into our diet. But, this ultimately depends on the complexity of the procedure, which is why following your dentist’s recommended care instructions is key.
Reintroducing solid foods can happen on a gradual basis. Try starting with softer solid foods that don’t require much chewing such as:
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
- Broths or pureed soups
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Soft Pasta
If you experience pain or discomfort even after eating these soft foods, connect with your dentist right away.
Avoid eating foods that irritate the extraction site or dislodge the blood clot. These can delay healing and cause unnecessary discomfort such as:
- Crunchy foods like chips or nuts
- Sticky foods such as candies or caramel
- Hard vegetables or fruits
- Hot drinks or spicy foods that could irritate the area
- Alcohol, which can interfere with healing
Activities to Avoid to Promote Recovery
Eating isn’t the only aspect of healing that requires extra care and attention. Your daily habits can also make or break your recovery timeline:
- Rest: Avoid rigorous activities, even low-impact exercises, as increased blood pressure can interfere with clot formation.
- Skip the straw: Drinking through a straw creates suction, which can dislodge blood clots.
- Don’t smoke: Smoking (cigarettes, marijuana, or vapes) delays healing and increases the risk of infection.
Schedule a Visit
Recovering from a tooth extraction doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
With the right care, you’ll be enjoying your favorite solid foods in no time. It all comes down to patience, attention to your dentist’s instructions, and making mindful dietary choices.
Our team at Genesis Dental is here to guide you through this process. Connect with us to schedule a visit.
