Eating After a Simple Extraction
Following a simple tooth extraction there are several guidelines to adhere to around eating and drinking to ensure that you have a speedy recovery. Tooth extraction will leave the mouth tender, sore, and a little swollen. The pain from a simple extraction is typically minimal, but still requires a specialized diet to prevent further pain and damage to the extraction. Here are some guidelines to follow when eating after a simple extraction.
What to expect from a simple extraction?
Dentists perform simple extractions when a tooth cannot be saved. During simple extractions, a dentist will numb the general area of the extraction site using a local anesthesia. They will then work to release the tooth from your mouth and ultimately remove it. What is left is a now empty socket that will need time to heal and what you eat, and drink can impact the healing process.
What can I eat after a simple extraction?
Immediately following the extraction, you should not eat. This is typically for the first four hours following the procedure. During this time, your body is forming a blood clot, and the anesthesia is wearing off. This recovery period is critical for the overall recovery from the procedure. During this time, you will also need to keep the gauze in your mouth and avoid spitting, rinsing, or sucking. Doing these things can prevent the blood clot from taking hold.
During the first 24 hours after a simple extraction, it is very important to stick to a soft, lukewarm diet. You want to prioritize foods that do not require a lot of chewing. Food that is too hard, too hot, or too cold can cause discomfort and even harm the extraction site. It is also important to avoid foods that are spicy or sticky as this can also cause discomfort and damage. After 24-48 hours, you will be able to start returning to a normal diet, but this should be done gradually and be based on how your mouth is feeling. It is important to pay attention to the discomfort that you may have to ensure you do not cause harm to the extraction site. After 48 hours you can typically resume a general normal diet. It is still recommended to avoid foods that may require a lot of chewing or be too spicy, hot, or cold. These foods can still cause discomfort. In general, your diet will be able to begin being more normal however. After about a week from the procedure, you will be mostly healed and able to tolerate a normal diet. This will of course depend on the person and their own unique recovery.
A simple extraction will undoubtedly cause disruptions to what you can eat for about a week. It is important to follow the guidance of your dentist and avoid foods that cause discomfort or harm during this time so as not damage your extraction site and allow it fully to heal. Talk to your dentist about specific guidance for food following your simple extraction procedure.