What to Eat After Getting a Tooth Pulled: A Guide to Healing Faster
What Can You Eat After Having a Tooth Pulled?
Getting a tooth pulled is a common dental procedure that can be necessary for a variety of reasons, such as a toothache, infection, or damage. While it’s a relatively straightforward procedure, it’s important to know what you can and can’t eat in the days following surgery to avoid complications.
In this article, we’ll discuss what foods are safe to eat after having a tooth pulled, as well as some tips for eating comfortably and healing quickly. We’ll also provide a list of foods to avoid, so you can stay on the safe side.
So if you’re about to have a tooth pulled, or you’re recovering from the procedure, read on for all the information you need about what to eat.
What Can You Eat After Having A Tooth Pulled?
| Food | Description | When to Eat |
|—|—|—|
| Soup | Liquidy and easy to swallow. | Immediately after the procedure. |
| Yogurt | Soft and soothing. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
| Mashed Potatoes | Bland and easy to chew. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
| Scrambled Eggs | Soft and easy to digest. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
| Pudding | Soft and creamy. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
| Ice Cream | Cold and soothing. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
| Jell-O | Soft and jiggly. | Within 24 hours of the procedure. |
Soft Foods
After having a tooth pulled, it is important to eat soft foods that will not irritate your mouth or cause pain. Some good options include:
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Mashed bananas
- Cooked vegetables
- Soft bread
It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid drinking hot liquids, as they can irritate your mouth.
Liquids
Liquids are also an important part of your diet after having a tooth pulled. They can help to flush away bacteria and keep your mouth clean. Some good options include:
- Water
- Milk
- Juice
- Soup
- Smoothies
- Protein shakes
It is important to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages after having a tooth pulled, as they can dry out your mouth and make it more difficult to heal.
Following these tips can help you to make a smooth recovery after having a tooth pulled. Be sure to listen to your doctor’s instructions and take care of your mouth to ensure a speedy recovery.
Here are some additional tips for a smooth recovery:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after every meal. This will help to flush away bacteria and keep your mouth clean.
- Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth gently. Avoid brushing the area around the extraction site.
- Avoid using straws or smoking. These activities can irritate your mouth and delay healing.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This will help to boost your immune system and promote healing.
- Get plenty of rest. Your body needs time to heal after surgery.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure a smooth recovery after having a tooth pulled.
Liquids
After having a tooth pulled, you will need to stick to a liquid diet for the first day or two. This will help to keep your mouth clean and prevent infection. Some good options for liquids include:
- Water
- Milk
- Soup
- Smoothies
- Popsicles
- Yogurt
- Jell-O
It is important to drink plenty of fluids after having a tooth pulled, as this will help to flush out bacteria and keep your mouth hydrated. Avoid drinking hot liquids, as these can irritate your gums.
Soft Foods
Once you are able to eat solid foods, you will want to stick to soft foods that are easy to chew and digest. Some good options for soft foods include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Pudding
- Mashed bananas
- Applesauce
It is important to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, as these can damage your healing gums. You should also avoid spicy or acidic foods, as these can irritate your mouth.
Solid Foods
Once your gums have healed, you will be able to eat solid foods again. However, you should still avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, as these can damage your teeth. You should also avoid sugary foods, as these can promote tooth decay.
Some good options for solid foods include:
- Cooked vegetables
- Fruits
- Lean protein
- Whole grains
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Toast
- Pasta
It is important to eat a healthy diet after having a tooth pulled, as this will help to promote healing and prevent future problems.
Other Considerations
In addition to the foods you eat, there are a few other things you can do to help your mouth heal after having a tooth pulled:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water. This will help to flush out bacteria and promote healing.
- Use a soft toothbrush. A soft toothbrush will help to avoid damaging your healing gums.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking can slow down healing and increase your risk of infection.
- See your dentist for a follow-up appointment. Your dentist will check on your healing and make sure that everything is progressing as it should.
By following these tips, you can help your mouth heal quickly and get back to eating your favorite foods as soon as possible.
Having a tooth pulled can be a painful experience, but it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for aftercare to ensure a speedy recovery. By eating a healthy diet and taking care of your mouth, you can help your gums heal quickly and get back to your normal routine.
What Can I Eat After Having a Tooth Pulled?
After having a tooth pulled, you will need to avoid eating anything that is hard, chewy, or crunchy. This includes foods such as popcorn, chips, nuts, and hard candy. You should also avoid eating hot or spicy foods, as these can irritate your gums.
Instead, you should focus on eating soft, cool, and easy-to-chew foods. This includes foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, and pudding. You can also drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Here is a more detailed list of foods that you can eat after having a tooth pulled:
- Soft foods: Yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soups, ice cream, popsicles, jello, smoothies
- Liquids: Water, milk, juice, tea, soup
- Solid foods: Cooked vegetables, fruits, bread, crackers, pasta
It is important to listen to your body and avoid eating anything that is painful or uncomfortable. You should also avoid brushing your teeth or using mouthwash for the first 24 hours after your tooth is pulled. This will help to prevent infection.
If you have any questions about what you can eat after having a tooth pulled, be sure to talk to your dentist.
How Long Should I Wait Before Brushing My Teeth?
You should wait at least 24 hours before brushing your teeth after having a tooth pulled. This will help to prevent infection.
When you are ready to brush your teeth, use a soft toothbrush and a gentle toothpaste. Brush your teeth in small circles, and avoid brushing the area around the extraction site.
You should also rinse your mouth with warm water after brushing your teeth.
How Long Should I Wait Before Using Mouthwash?
You should wait at least 24 hours before using mouthwash after having a tooth pulled. This will help to prevent infection.
When you are ready to use mouthwash, choose a product that is alcohol-free. Rinse your mouth with the mouthwash for 30 seconds, and then spit it out.
You should avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, as this can irritate your gums.
When Can I Eat Solid Foods?
You can start eating solid foods once your gums have healed, which usually takes about 2-3 days.
When you are first starting to eat solid foods, it is important to avoid eating anything that is hard, chewy, or crunchy. This includes foods such as popcorn, chips, nuts, and hard candy. You should also avoid eating hot or spicy foods, as these can irritate your gums.
Instead, you should focus on eating soft, cool, and easy-to-chew foods. This includes foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soups, ice cream, popsicles, jello, smoothies.
As your gums heal, you will be able to gradually increase the hardness and chewiness of the foods that you eat.
How Long Will It Take for My Gums to Heal?
It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for your gums to fully heal after having a tooth pulled.
During this time, you may experience some discomfort and swelling. This is normal, and it will gradually improve as your gums heal.
You can help to speed up the healing process by following the tips below:
- Avoid eating hard, chewy, or crunchy foods.
- Brush your teeth gently and avoid brushing the area around the extraction site.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water after brushing your teeth.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
If you have any concerns about the healing process, be sure to talk to your dentist.
After having a tooth pulled, it is important to eat soft, bland foods that are easy to chew and digest. This will help to reduce pain and swelling and promote healing. Some good options include yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, and scrambled eggs. Avoid eating hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as these can irritate your mouth and delay healing.
It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids help to flush out bacteria and promote healing. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, as they can dry out your mouth and make it more difficult to heal.
In general, you should avoid eating anything that is too hot or too cold, as this can also irritate your mouth. Stick to lukewarm foods until your mouth has healed completely.
Following these tips will help you to recover from a tooth extraction as quickly and easily as possible.
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I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.
I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.
Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.
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