When you undergo a tooth extraction, your body will create a blood clot within the empty gap created when your dentist removes your tooth. This protects the exposed bone and nerve while new gum forms. However, the wrong foods will destroy this blood clot and cause you pain as you will suffer from dry socket. Choosing the correct foods will help protect your mouth while it heals, reduce swelling and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal quickly. Carefully planning your meals is an important step in the recovery period. This guide will tell you exactly what to eat, what to avoid and how to protect your smile.

Why It’s Important to Eat the Right Foods

After undergoing any oral surgery like a tooth extraction, your body will need extra vitamins and minerals. Open wounds need lots of energy, protein and fluids to help them heal. If you’re not eating due to your mouth hurting, you will delay your recovery. Eating nutritious soft foods will help your immune system fight off bacteria and heal your gums.

In the first few days after your extraction, you should only eat foods that don’t involve any chewing. Protein will help repair your skin and gums while the vitamins will help speed up cell repair. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your mouth clean. Eating nutritious foods will give you a strong immune system to fight off infections after your surgery. Be sure to plan your shopping list before your extraction to ensure you have safe foods at home.

Foods to Eat 24hrs After Extraction

During the first day after your extraction, you need to be very cautious. Your mouth will be numb from the local anesthetic and your new blood clot is very fragile. You should eat cold, smooth and liquid foods.

  • Greek Style Yogurt – Plain or lightly flavored yogurts are smooth and packed with protein.

  • Applesauce – Smooth applesauce is full of natural vitamins.

  • Cold Smooth Soups – Eat smooth vegetable or tomato soups. Ensure they are at room temperature.

  • Mashed Bananas – Mash ripe bananas for a potassium boost and gentle energy boost.

  • Protein Shakes – Mix clean protein powder with milk or almond milk.

  • Bone Broth – Warm bone broth provides essential minerals and amino acids to help your gums heal.

Soft Foods to Eat on Day 2 & 3

On the second day after your extraction, your mouth will begin to feel less sensitive. However, you should still be very careful with your socket. You can now introduce some more variety to your meals by eating soft mashed foods.

  • Mashed Potatoes – Whip potatoes with butter and milk to create a completely smooth texture. Avoid any pieces of potato skin.

  • Scrambled Eggs – Whisk eggs in a pan with butter to create a soft texture.

  • Mashed Avocado – Mash ripe avocado with a little bit of salt.

  • Oatmeal – Cook rolled oats for a long amount of time in milk or water to create a mushy texture. Allow to cool before eating.

  • Cottage Cheese – Cottage cheese with small curds provides an easy source of protein.

  • Smooth Hummus – Eat smooth hummus made from chickpeas with soft cooked carrots.

Nutritious Foods to Eat

On days 4-7 your gums will begin to heal and are less sensitive. You can now eat foods with a slightly thicker texture.

  • Macaroni & Cheese – Cook pasta noodles until very soft. Mix with melted cheese sauce.

  • Flaky Baked Fish – Bake white fish such as cod or tilapia until it becomes flaky.

  • Polenta – Soft polenta made from corn will give your mouth a comforting texture.

  • Soft Tofu – Cube the soft tofu and cook gently in mild vegetable stock.

  • Steamed Squash – Steam yellow squash or zucchini until it becomes mushy. Mash with some butter.

  • Tuna – Mix canned tuna with extra mayonnaise to create a completely smooth texture.

Foods & Drinks to Avoid

Some foods will cause damage to your socket as they will cause painful infections. Be sure to avoid these foods completely until your dentist has confirmed that you have fully healed.

  • Crunchy Foods – Chips, nuts, pretzels, popcorn and crackers will all break into sharp pieces which will damage your open wounds.

  • Spicy Foods – Spicy chilies, chunky salsa and hot sauce will cause your open gums to burn.

  • Acidic Foods – Oranges, lemons, tomatoes and vinegar will cause your open extraction site to sting.

  • Sticky Foods – Caramels, gummy sweets and sticky taffy will pull out your fresh blood clot.

  • Small Seeds – Sesame seeds, poppy seeds and strawberry seeds will get stuck in your socket causing painful infections.

  • Hot Drinks – Hot drinks such as coffee or tea will melt your blood clot.

Why You Should Never Use a Straw

Using a straw will cause a lot of suction in your mouth. This will act like a vacuum and suck your blood clot out of your empty tooth socket. Exposing your open bone and nerve to air, bacteria and food will cause a painful infection known as dry socket. This will cause terrible throbbing pain which will shoot up your ears and temples.

  • Always drink using an open cup or glass.

  • Avoid sucking on hard sweets for the same reason.

By protecting your blood clot, you will have a smooth and quick recovery.

Temperature

Temperature plays a big part in your recovery. Hot foods will cause your blood vessels to widen and cause bleeding. Cold foods will soothe inflammation and cause your blood vessels to narrow to stop bleeding.

  • Eat Cold & Warm Foods – Eat all of your meals at room temperature or cold.

  • Avoid Hot Liquids – Allow your soups, teas and coffees to cool completely. Hot foods will melt your blood clot and cause more bleeding.

  • Eat Cold Desserts – Eat cold desserts such as ice cream or pudding to numb your sore gums and reduce inflammation.

  • Avoid Ice Cubes – Don’t chew on hard ice cubes as they will crack your teeth and cause irritation to your sensitive gums.

Easy Meal Ideas

Planning your meals will take the stress out of your recovery. Here are some easy and tasty meal ideas.

  • Breakfast 1 – Oatmeal cooked until very soft. Top with mashed ripe bananas and a splash of cold milk.

  • Breakfast 2 – 2 fluffy scrambled eggs cooked in butter. Serve with smooth applesauce.

  • Breakfast 3 – Plain geek yogurt. Add some honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

  • Lunch 1 – Tomato soup. Serve at room temperature with some soft avocado slices.

  • Lunch 2 – Cottage cheese with mashed avocado and a sprinkle of salt.

  • Lunch 3 – Chickpea hummus. Serve with well steamed mashed carrots.

Simple Dinner Recipes

Dinner is a great chance to eat some tasty protein and nutrients without stressing your jaw muscles.

  • Dinner 1 – Mashed potatoes whipped with butter and milk. Serve with very soft flaky baked cod.

  • Dinner 2 – Macaroni noodles cooked until tender. Toss with rich smooth cheddar cheese sauce.

  • Dinner 3 – Soft polenta. Drizzle with warm vegetable stock and grate some parmesan cheese over.

  • Dinner 4 – Steam yellow squash until it becomes mushy. Mash with some butter and cubes of soft tofu.

  • Dinner 5 – Sweet potato soup. Blend until smooth. Season with a little bit of olive oil and salt.

  • Dinner 6 – Tuna. Mix with mayonnaise until completely smooth. Eat with a spoon.

Tips for a Healthy Recovery

Doing the following will help speed up your recovery.

  • Gently Rinse – After 24hr’s gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after each meal to remove any loose food.

  • Don’t Spit Too Hard – Gently spit into the sink.

  • Drink Plenty of Water – Drink plenty of plain water throughout the day to keep your mouth clean.

  • Don’t Smoke – Nicotine will reduce blood flow and prevent wounds from healing. Don’t smoke for at least 72hr’s.

  • Take Medication – Take any painkillers or antibiotics your dentist has prescribed.

  • Get Some Rest – Give yourself time to rest and heal during the first 2 days.

FAQ’s

Can I have coffee?

Yes you can! Just ensure it is completely cooled down to room temperature or cold. Don’t have it hot and don’t use a straw.

When can I eat solid foods again?

After 4-7 days you can slowly start introducing solid foods. Depending on how your gums are feeling and whether it hurts to chew.

What if food gets stuck in my socket?

Don’t prod your socket with toothpicks or your fingers. Gently rinse with warm salt water to allow the piece of food to float out.

Is it okay to eat ice cream?

Yes! Soft ice creams without nuts or crunchy additions will feel lovely on your sore gums and are an easy source of calories.