After a tooth extraction, it is essential to eat soft, easy-to-chew foods that do not irritate the extraction site or dislodge the blood clot needed for healing. Here is a detailed guide on what to eat following tooth removal:
Foods to Eat Immediately After Extraction (0–2 days)
- Soft, no-chew foods: yogurt (plain, no fruit bits), pudding, Jell-O, ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes, and lukewarm soups
- Eggs: scrambled eggs are soft, nutritious, and easy to eat
- Soggy cereal or oatmeal: instant oatmeal is preferred for its mushy texture, but ensure it is lukewarm to avoid irritation
- Mashed potatoes: soft, nutritious, and easy to swallow; they provide vitamins and minerals that aid healing
- Applesauce: soft, pureed fruit that is gentle on the mouth and provides vitamin C and potassium
Foods to Eat After 2–5 Days
- You can start introducing slightly warmer and more textured soft foods that require minimal chewing:
- Bread (soft)
- Pasta and noodles
- Soft vegetables, including mashed potatoes and pureed vegetables like squash or carrots
- Ground beef, chicken, and other minced meat products like lasagna
- Cheese and cottage cheese
Foods to Avoid Initially
- Hot foods immediately after extraction (wait at least an hour before warm foods)
- Acidic or spicy foods (citrus fruits, fizzy drinks, chili, curry)
- Crunchy, hard, or crumbly foods (nuts, popcorn, chips, seeds, grains like rice or quinoa)
- Alcohol for at least a week
- Using straws to avoid dislodging the blood clot
Additional Tips
- Avoid chewing on the extraction side to prevent irritation.
- Keep food soft and avoid anything that can get trapped in the wound.
- Gradually reintroduce more solid foods as healing progresses and comfort allows
In summary, start with very soft, cool or lukewarm foods like yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs, then progress to soft solids like pasta and cooked vegetables after a few days. Avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods until fully healed to support proper recovery and avoid complications
