Can I eat bread after tooth extraction? Soft bread or hard bread? How long after tooth extraction can I eat bread? What are the recommended foods to eat after a tooth extraction? And finally, what foods should I avoid after a tooth extraction?
I. What Is a Dry Socket?
Dry socket is the term used to describe dental alveolitis. It is one of the three forms of complications that are frequently encountered in cases of tooth extraction.
In a dry socket, the blood clot that is supposed to form after the extraction of your tooth and allow healing does not form normally.
The causes of dry sockets are eating food, brushing your teeth too hard, or using birth control pills.
II. Can I Eat Bread After Tooth Extraction?
1. Why Avoid Eating on the Side of Tooth Extraction
It is important, in the days and hours following a tooth extraction, not to eat on the extraction side. This part of your jaw is sensitive, with raw flesh.
To allow your jaw to heal without worry, you should avoid irritating it by eating on that side. The residue could touch the extraction site, which would corrupt the healing of the gum.
For the same reason, avoid running your tongue over this area.
2. Hard Bread Vs Soft Bread
After tooth extraction, it is important to choose soft foods for your diet. Crunchy foods, such as hard bread, can be harmful to the area.
It is therefore not recommended to eat crunchy bread during this period. Soft bread is not particularly recommended either, because it requires a lot of chewing.
But if you want to eat it, you can always soften it beforehand, for example by dipping it in your cup of milk or coffee.
3. What happens if food gets stuck in the extraction site?
Having food stuck in the same area where the tooth was extracted is dangerous. It interferes with the healing process since it is a wound.
Having food or residue in the wound can lead to infection. If, despite your efforts, a piece of food remains stuck in the extraction site, gently wipe it away with warm water, using the rinse method.
Do not use a toothpick or your finger to remove it.
4. How Long After Tooth Extraction Can I Eat Bread?
In general, all types of bread are not recommended in the days following a tooth extraction. Hard bread because it is crunchy and can irritate the gums, and soft bread because it requires chewing effort.
After about 5 days to a week, you can carefully start eating bread again.
After this time, the area will have healed enough that there is less chance of infection.
III. Soft Foods to Eat After Tooth Extraction
1. Soup
Soups are perfect foods to eat after having one or more teeth extracted. After an extraction, your mouth and especially the extraction area are still sensitive.
For this reason, you should avoid foods that are too hard. So consume soup, preferably not too hot, to nourish your body without harming your healing.
2. Fresh Smoothies
Fresh smoothies are great ways to consume vitamins without having to chew. You can turn to all types of smoothies after your tooth extraction.
The richer they are in fruit the better. Nevertheless, avoid drinking them through a straw so as not to interfere with the healing process, and take them fresh, but not iced.
3. Eggs
Eggs are great sources of protein and nutrients. After tooth extraction, consuming eggs will provide you with what you need to help you heal faster.
You can consume hard-boiled eggs, which are still extremely easy to chew. Scrambled eggs are also another choice, as well as raw eggs to drink.
4. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes as a whole are recommended after tooth extraction. Don’t hesitate to turn to mashed potatoes, which are rich in starch and tasty.
Its smooth texture will prevent pressure on the extraction area. Eat mashed potatoes warm or cold, but not too hot.
5. Soft Cheese
Soft cheeses are another of the many food options for people who have had a tooth extraction.
There are many to choose from, so pick the ones that you prefer. The advantage of soft cheese is firstly its soft consistency, and secondly its high protein content.
These are foods that promote tooth healing.
6. Broth
Broth, like the soup of beans, is a dish to be eaten in the days following dental extraction. Whether it is a vegetable or meat broth, the most important thing is that the ingredients are well chopped and easy to swallow.
The broth will nourish you without affecting your healing.
7. Yogurt
Products like Yogurt are foods that promote healing. Not only do they offer a lot of nutrients, but they can also be eaten fresh, which soothes post-extraction pain.
So you can turn to yogurt after your tooth extraction.
8. Ripe Avocado
Avocado is a fruit containing many vitamins and nutrients. When it is fully ripe, it is tender and practically melts in your mouth.
For all these reasons, eating ripe avocado is a very good choice when you have had one or more teeth extracted.
9. Mashed Bananas
Banana is one of the richest foods available. Excellent for general health, it is also a fruit with a creamy texture, which we do not hesitate to give to children.
Bananas are a perfect food if you’ve just had a tooth pulled. When mashed properly, it makes an excellent puree that will keep you from chewing.
10. Pudding
Like soft fruit, pudding is a dessert that is very easy to eat. With a soft consistency, pudding can be both sweet and savory.
So you can eat pudding after your dental extraction. This dessert will provide you with nutrients and rest your sore jaw.
IV. Food to Avoid After Tooth Extraction
1. Raw Fruits and Vegetables
The vast majority of raw fruits and vegetables are often hard and crunchy. This is why they are not recommended for people who have had one or more teeth pulled.
We are talking about fruits such as apples. For vegetables, we are talking about products such as beets or carrots.
Avoid eating them as much as possible, as they may irritate the extraction area, which is still fragile.
2. Hot Foods or Cold Foods
Right after a tooth extraction, the extraction area is still sensitive. For this reason, foods should be cool or at room temperature, to calm your pain.
Very hot or cold foods can irritate the extraction area and interfere with healing. Fresh food is best.
3. Cookies and Nuts
Cookies and nuts are crunchy foods. After tooth extraction, avoid crunchy foods as much as possible.
Your jaw and teeth are still sensitive and it is important to preserve them. This type of food could damage the gum tissue.
4. Candy
Candy is not something you should eat after tooth extraction. Because they have to be sucked on, candy is a risk to the healing of your gums.
Right after your tooth extraction, the healing process has begun. The act of sucking can interfere with the formation of the socket that is supposed to cover the extraction area.
5. Crackers
Crackers are foods that should not be eaten in the days following your tooth extraction. They are crunchy and could damage your gums.
Even more so if they are spicy crackers. Spicy foods are forbidden after tooth extraction. They are capable of worsening the inflammation.
V. When Can I Eat Solid Food After Tooth Extraction
Healing after a tooth extraction is personal to each individual. Extraction is unique, and each body reacts differently to it.
For this reason, it is impossible to pinpoint a period after which it is possible to eat solid foods.
However, in general, it takes 7 to 10 days after a tooth extraction before you can eat solid food.
VI. Other Questions About What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction
1. Can I Eat Chicken After Tooth Extraction?
Chicken is not recommended after tooth extraction, because it is fibrous and must be chewed for a long time before being swallowed.
However, you can eat chicken soup, as long as it does not have large pieces of meat inside. Avoid chewing too much as possible.
2. Can I Eat Meat After Tooth Extraction?
If you want to eat meat after your tooth extraction, wait a few days and eat ground meat.
Eating meat right after your tooth extraction is a risk because meat requires chewing.
3. Can I Eat a Sandwich After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Right after a tooth extraction, do not put too much pressure on your jaw. For this reason, foods like sandwiches, which require a lot of chewing, should be avoided.
Instead, eat soups and broths, as they will rest your jaw.
4. When Can I Eat Candy and Soda After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
It is not advisable to eat candy and drink soda right after your wisdom teeth extraction.
Candy first is something that should be sucked on. Sucking is a risk to tooth healing. Soda is also not recommended because of its chemical composition.
5. Can I Eat Rice After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Do not eat rice after tooth extraction surgery. Rice, and all varieties of rice, is difficult to chew.
There is a possibility that seeds may get stuck in the extraction area. This can interfere with the healing of the gums.
Avoid grain products for a few days after your tooth extraction.
6. Can I Eat Pasta After Teeth Removal?
After tooth extraction, it is not recommended to eat pasta or spaghetti. Whether it’s penne, orzo, or macaroni; they are all sticky.
This means that there is a high risk that they will get stuck in the extraction area.
7. Can You Eat Pizza After Teeth Removal?
It is not recommended to eat pizza after the removal of one or more of your teeth. Pizza is a long chewing dish, which is not recommended for a jaw that has had a tooth extracted.
In addition, there is a risk of pizza residue getting stuck in the extraction area.
8. Why no Dairy after Tooth Extraction?
Dairy products are not forbidden after tooth extraction. From yogurt to ice cream, many dairy products are recommended in the days after your tooth is removed.
Don’t hesitate to eat soft cheese, for example. Dairy products that are easy to chew have the added benefit of being rich in calcium.
9. Can I Eat Donuts After Tooth Extraction
Foods like doughnuts are not recommended after tooth extraction. Doughnuts require too much chewing, and in the hours and days following a tooth extraction, your jaw does not need that.
Therefore, if possible, avoid eating doughnuts when you have had teeth pulled.
10. Can I Eat Tuna After Tooth Extraction
Tuna is a fish, and fish is highly recommended after tooth extraction. So yes, you can eat tuna after your tooth extraction.
Especially since tuna is a soft product, which does not require much chewing.
11. Can I Eat Risotto After Tooth Extraction?
All foods containing small grains should be avoided after tooth extraction. The small grains can get stuck in the extraction area, which has not yet healed and closed.
For this reason, avoid risotto the days following your tooth extraction.
12. Can I Eat Pancakes After Tooth Extraction?
Pancakes are not particularly recommended, because they must be chewed. In addition, the fact that they are usually sticky is another risk.
It’s best to stick with something you can swallow without chewing in the days following your extraction.
13. Can I Drink Coffee After Tooth Extraction?
It is not advisable to drink coffee after tooth extraction. First of all, coffee can increase blood pressure, which can slow down the healing process.
Also, hot products are not recommended after tooth extraction.
14. Can I Eat Ice Cream Right After Tooth Extraction?
Ice cream is recommended after your tooth extraction. This sweet dessert is easy to eat and practically slides down your throat.
Choose ice creams without cones and nuts sprinkled on top. It is important to avoid crunchy foods after your surgery.
15. Is Tomato Soup Okay After Tooth Extraction?
After your tooth extraction, it is important to eat soft foods. Tomato soup is an excellent dish to eat after you have had one or more of your teeth pulled.
It is rich in nutrients. Eat it lukewarm, but not very hot.
16. Can I Have Spaghetti After Teeth Removal?
Spaghetti is one of the foods that should be avoided completely after your tooth extraction. Spaghetti is sticky and difficult to chew.
There is a high risk that it will get stuck between your teeth and in the extraction area. If you like pasta too much to do without it, opt for macaroni and cheese.
Useful Links:
Reasons for Tooth Extractions and Related Risk Factors in Adult Patients: A Cohort Study
Reasons for Tooth Removal in Adults
Observational study investigating tooth extraction and the shortened dental arch approach
How long does a loose tooth take to heal?
How to Push a Salivary Stone Out [6 Home Remedies & Drug Treatment]