Eating After a Simple Extraction

A simple tooth extraction, or the pulling of a tooth, is a common occurrence in dentistry. Though we always try to save your tooth and the health of your smile through other means, sometimes, an extraction is necessary, as in the case of severely damaged or diseased teeth. One of the most common questions we get about tooth extraction is about aftercare, especially about eating after an extraction. Please read on, and we will discuss what you should and shouldn’t eat after an extraction, and also offer some tips for aftercare for the procedure as well.

Simple versus surgical extraction

There are two types of extractions, simple and surgical. The difference between these two are that with a simple extraction, the dentist simply uses a special tool to disconnect the tooth and pulls the tooth from the dental socket, while a surgical extraction involves the use of surgical techniques to remove the tooth. Surgical extraction often happens in the case of impacted teeth, for example. In either case, how you take care of your mouth after your tooth is pulled has a direct impact on how long the healing process will take. In the moments after the operation and in the following days, it is necessary to pay special attention to our diet to avoid any unforeseen events and to guarantee a quick recovery.

Am I able to eat after my tooth is pulled?

You can eat after an extraction. Please wait until after the local anesthesia wears off, which can take a few hours. This is to help you avoid biting the inside of your cheek or tongue. After we pull your tooth, and for about 24 hours, there are a some of foods that can be eaten and others that we recommend you avoid.

Foods we recommend after tooth extraction

The first meal you eat after your extraction should be room-temperature and soft. Due to feeling some mouth sensitivity, very hot and very cold foods are not recommended. We recommend the following foods:

  • fruit or vegetable puree like applesauce or mashed potatoes
  • soft fruits such as bananas.
  • eggs
  • oatmeal
  • shredded chicken.
  • soft cheeses.
  • soft breads
  • soups

It is important for healing that you eat as healthful a diet as possible during this time and to make sure you are drinking water.

Foods we don’t recommend

After an extraction, you have to be careful about what you choose it eat. This is due mostly to the extraction site will be sore, so you shouldn’t eat anything that may further irritate the site, including:

  • Hot food
  • Crunchy or hard foods
  • Spicy or acidic foods
  • Small foods like rice or other grains
  • Drinks that contain caffeine
  • Alcohol

In Conclusion

We want your extraction process to be as comfortable as possible. We will do our part in our office, but you also must do your part with aftercare! If you have questions about what foods you can and cannot eat, please contact us and we are happy to guide you through your aftercare!

How Long Does Simple Extraction Take to Heal?