Can I eat after having a tooth pulled? Of course you can, but with a few caveats. Learn more about what you can and can't chew on post tooth extraction.

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extractionis a painless procedure in which a tooth or tooth roots are taken out with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues. The extraction process ensures that the socket will heal without any post-procedure complication.

Most of the time, a dental surgeon provides patients with a guide on how to care for their mouth after the extraction. Once the tooth is pulled, following the dentist's aftercare instructions ensures that there are no issues or delays in healing.

Furthermore, obeying post-extraction guidelines helps to minimize the risk of infection or dry socket afterwards.

You might be wondering, "How long after a tooth extraction can I eat"? Well, you can still eat, but there are certain foods you should avoid within a 24-hour period or longer. Here are the proper foods to consume:

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great food option for eating after tooth extraction surgery. Not only is it soft, but it's rich in nutrients that could help with recovery.

Plus, potatoes are a hearty root vegetable that fills you up quickly. Just make sure to eat them at a lukewarm temperature to avoid irritating the area where your tooth was pulled.

Scrambled Eggs

One of the best foods to eat after tooth extraction surgery is scrambled eggs. They are high in protein and other vitamins and minerals that are good for your body. Also, try to eat Omega-3 enriched eggs because omega-3 fats help to aid in recovery.

Luckily, scrambled eggs are easy to chew and swallow. You can add cheese and avocado on top to make the meal complete.

Smoothies

Smoothies work well for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Add in a scoop of protein powder to give yourself a boost, and fill the smoothie with lots of healthy fruits and vegetables.

Smoothies are a tasty way to get all of the vitamins that you need, as well as ensure that you don't disrupt the recovery process.

Soup

Blended soups such as tomato, pumpkin, or French onion are perfect meal options for eating after tooth extraction procedures. Not only are they tasty, but they're full of nutrient-rich vegetables to keep you strong and help you heal faster.

Blended soups also provide hydration, which is vital after a tooth extraction.

Avoid eating soup with large chunks of vegetables, and eat the soup at a lukewarm temperature so you don't irritate your wound.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a tasty snack that's high in protein and calcium. Foods that are high in protein help to aid in recovery, so eat as much of it as possible.

Yogurt also has a creamy texture that is easy to consume after getting your tooth pulled.



There are certain foods that you should completely stay away from after an extraction. Your mouth will thank you! Here are the foods to avoid:

Spicy Foods

After a tooth extraction, it's imperative to stay away from spicy food. Spices like cayenne pepper or paprika can get down into your extraction wound and cause irritation. If the area is irritated, it'll take longer to heal.

Chewy Foods

Chewy foods are not a good option after a tooth extraction. Chewy foods tend to be sticky, and they could get down into the area where your tooth was taken out. Again, that could lead to irritation and delayed healing.

Meat

If you are a meat-eater, you might be wondering," When can I eat solid food after a tooth extraction"? But that answer all depends on how quickly the area heals.

Meat is chewy, and it's a food that requires a lot of chomping and grinding of the teeth as you eat. But as your extraction wound is healing, you want to avoid that as much as possible. You may be able to eat meat after 24 hours, but it may take several days.

Alcoholic Beverages

Avoid alcohol completely after your tooth is pulled. Alcoholic beverages could delay recovery and negatively interact with medication that the dentist prescribed.

Don't drink any wine, beer, or liquor until after your meds are finished and your wound is completely recovered.

Crunchy Foods

It may be tempting to grab snacks when you can't have solid food after an extraction, but be careful. Food such as chips or cookies can get lodged into the extraction area and slow the healing process. Stay away from nuts and other crunch foods as well.

Take Care of Your Smile

Hopefully, we answered your question of," Can I eat after having a tooth pulled"? Of course you can, but please be careful. You don't want something as simple as a tooth extraction to lead to bigger issues!

If you're in need of dental care, we can help. We offer a variety of services from root canals to braces. Our office is located in Lutz, Florida and we'd be happy to help you with your dental care needs.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to connecting with you soon!