What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

Dental problems are extraordinarily common, and there are many options for managing damaged teeth, including fillings, crowns, resin, and root canals. When a tooth is irreparable or severely damaged through abscess, pulp damage, or injury, dental extractions (pulling a tooth) are often a necessary step to remedy the problem. 

How complicated the process can be is often down to the reason for the tooth being removed, which includes decay beyond repair, bone loss around the tooth, an impacted tooth, a fractured tooth, or tooth rot. Whatever the reasons, once the tooth is gone, you’ll need to know how to care for the wound left and what foods are safe to eat. 

If you live in the Sacramento, California, area and you’re struggling with dental problems that require extraction, Dr. Peter Kim and his skilled medical team at Sierra Oaks Dental can help.

Now, let’s look at the process of removing a tooth, the steps you should take afterward to protect your mouth, and what diet is appropriate after this procedure.

What happens during a tooth extraction?

An assessment of both the tooth and gums through imaging is necessary before the extraction happens, using dental X-rays. Once that is established, the procedure begins with sedation, either localized or overall, depending on any issues with anxiety or level of comfort being awake during the removal. After the surrounding area of the tooth is injected with an anesthetic, specialized tools are used to lift and pull it from its socket. In some situations, the gum may need an incision to better access the tooth to be removed. 

Afterward, the remaining socket is cleaned and disinfected, and if there is any bone loss, a bone graft might be performed. The wound is then stitched to help the area heal.

What aftercare steps should I take?

Healing time for extractions will vary with the specific tooth removed, the depths of the root of the tooth, and whether or not incisions were needed or grafts were done. Pain in that area should subside within three days, but upon removal, the main priority is maintaining clotting to help the area heal and prevent problems like dry sockets. Medical gauze is generally used to help prevent excess bleeding and allow the wound to clot, and avoiding over-the-counter medications like aspirin will help to keep bleeding under control.

Within the next few days, you should focus on getting rest and changing the gauze regularly until the bleeding stops. Avoid things like rinsing and spitting, using straws, blowing your nose, and smoking. We’ll discuss the medications you’ll be taking, but over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain. Also, use a compress if necessary and elevate the head when sleeping.

What foods are safe right after it's done?

Here’s a breakdown of foods to eat in the early period after an extraction:

• Within the first day: smooth soups, milk, cheese, yogurt, cereals, mashed potatoes, beans, protein shakes, and smoothies without a straw

• For the first few days after extraction, eggs (soft-boiled, scrambled, or poached), bananas, and fish

Within the first day after the extraction, you should eat soft foods and only start eating solid foods on the other side of the mouth when you feel comfortable doing so. Within the next few days, your mouth will regenerate stronger tissue over the wound, at which point it will be safer to eat solid food. Even then, it is recommended to do it in smaller bites for the first couple of weeks.

During this time, you should avoid alcoholic drinks, tough cuts of meat, crunchy foods, and anything that requires a straw. If you need a dental extraction, contact Dr. Kim and the team at Sierra Oaks Dental today.