There are many reasons why a tooth extraction may be necessary: a destroyed crown, inflammation accompanied by pus, or preparation for implantation. Extraction is a surgical procedure, so the soft tissues will need some time to heal. For regeneration to proceed successfully and without complications, it is important to follow the rules related to diet and oral care. We explain what can and cannot be eaten after a tooth extraction.
Why It’s Important to Follow a Diet After Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction, a socket remains in the gum, which initially is an open wound. Blood flows from it, so the doctor may use a tampon, bandage, or stitches to stop or reduce the bleeding. Shortly after the operation, a clot forms in the socket, a blood clot whose purpose is to protect the gum from infection.
If you start eating right after the tooth is removed, small pieces of food may get into the wound. They will stay there, begin to rot, provide a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms, and interfere with the proper formation of the blood clot. You cannot solve this problem with a toothbrush, as it may damage the gum.
Therefore, the simplest way to protect the postoperative wound and the clot forming in it is to refrain from eating for a certain period.
Preventing infection after a tooth extraction is not the only reason not to rush into eating after leaving the dentist’s office. Another issue is that the anesthesia continues to work for some time after the tooth is removed. While chewing food, the patient may accidentally injure the gum in the area where the anesthetic is active and not notice it.
Traditionally, the dentist recommends refraining from eating for 2-3 hours. However, it is better if the fasting period is longer. It is best to eat in advance, 1.5-2 hours before the procedure. This will help avoid excessive salivation, a possible fainting spell, and feelings of weakness. If a general anesthetic is planned, you can eat at least 4 hours before the operation.
When You Can Start Drinking After a Tooth Extraction
Proper fluid intake affects not only the overall state of the body but also the speed of soft tissue recovery after surgery. To ensure comfortable and effective healing and reduce the risk of complications, follow these recommendations:
Right after the extraction:
- For the first 1-2 hours, it’s best not to drink anything at all to avoid damaging the clot forming in the wound and to prevent bleeding.
1-2 hours after the surgery: You may drink water at room temperature or slightly warm. Do this slowly and in small sips.
- Avoid using a straw for 24 hours after the tooth extraction.
The suction creates a pressure difference, which can reopen the wound and cause bleeding. It also increases the risk of infection entering the postoperative wound.
Hot tea, coffee, and beverages can also cause bleeding, as high temperatures increase blood flow in the vessels. Therefore, you should not drink them earlier than 24 hours after the surgery.
Alcohol can slow down the healing process and stimulate bleeding as well. It is allowed only three days after the tooth extraction.
General Dietary Recommendations
The main goal is to avoid injuring the socket and to protect the blood clot forming within it. Therefore, you should eat carefully, with soft foods, and monitor the temperature of what you consume.
Here are some simple recommendations to follow:
- Avoid hot food and drinks for 24 hours after the extraction. Everything the patient eats and drinks should be only slightly warm.
- Opt for soft foods such as milk porridges, mashed potatoes, and yogurts.
- Do not eat chips, croutons, or other hard foods with sharp edges. They can damage the postoperative area or cause irritation.
- It’s also important to avoid acidic, spicy, and overly salty dishes and drinks. These can cause burning and irritation, which are harmful to the healing wound.
- Strong tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are highly undesirable in the first few days after the procedure.
- Eat and drink slowly and carefully. When chewing food, try to minimize using the area where the tooth was removed.
The strict dietary restrictions last for 24 hours. After that, you can gradually expand your diet, but do so slowly. If everything is healing well, you can return to your usual eating habits in 7-10 days.
Allowed Foods and Meal Timing After Tooth Extraction
After an extraction, not everything can be eaten immediately. The most critical part of the wound healing process from the surgery occurs in the first three days, with the primary focus being the proper formation of the blood clot in the socket.
What You Can Eat
Soft food is the most suitable option after a tooth extraction. It doesn’t require much chewing and can be swallowed easily, minimizing any risk to the healing wound.
Eat slowly, in small portions, and try to avoid getting food on the surgical area. Avoid touching the area with your tongue, and do not chew on the side where the tooth was removed.
What can be eaten right after tooth extraction? Typically, on the first day, you can have:
- Broths — light and non-greasy, like chicken or vegetable broth;
- Cream soups or pureed soups with a smooth consistency;
- Mashed potatoes, or other mashed vegetables and fruits;
- Soft, low-fat cottage cheese;
- Natural yogurt without sugar or other additives;
- Smoothies;
- Soft porridges — oatmeal, semolina, or rice porridge;
- Steamed omelet.
Ice cream is also allowed as it can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain, but it should not be consumed excessively due to its high sugar content.
When You Can Eat
Follow these timelines after a tooth extraction:
- 2-3 hours after the surgery: Refrain entirely from eating. However, you can drink water at room temperature — slowly, carefully, and in small sips.
- Within 24 hours after the surgery: Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks, and try to consume only soft foods.
- More than 24 hours after visiting the dentist: You can gradually resume your usual diet, but you should still avoid alcohol and refrain from eating spicy, salty, or acidic foods for a few more days.
Foods to Avoid After Tooth Extraction
You can speed up the healing process of soft tissues and reduce the risk of complications by excluding certain foods from your diet, at least initially. The following foods should be avoided:
- Nuts and seeds;
- Popcorn and chips;
- Hard fruits and vegetables — such as beets and apples;
- Berries and fruits with small seeds — these may get into the socket and become stuck;
- Hard chocolate;
- Spicy foods, especially those with large spice particles;
- Acidic foods — including citrus fruits and kefir;
- Pickled foods;
- Tough meat and smoked products;
- Hot beverages — such as tea, coffee, and cocoa;
- Carbonated drinks.
Guidelines for Drinking Water After Tooth Extraction
Staying hydrated is essential for the body and is necessary for the proper healing of soft tissues damaged during surgery. However, it’s important to drink water specifically. Avoid tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, and especially alcohol for a while. Non-acidic juices and compotes can be consumed the next day.
When You Can Start Drinking
You can start drinking water no earlier than 30 minutes after the extraction. This time allows the fresh blood clot to securely settle in the socket.
30-60 minutes after surgery: You can drink, but take small sips and go slowly. A good approach is to take one or two sips, pause briefly, and then take another sip or two.
Drinking Guidelines
It is important to maintain the body's water balance without disrupting the healing process or causing complications. Follow these principles:
- Drink water at room temperature. Slightly cooler or a bit warmer is acceptable, but it should not be cold or hot.
- Drink your usual amount of water. There is no need to deliberately drink more or less.
- Drink from a cup or glass. Even if you are used to drinking with a straw, avoid using one for at least 24 hours to prevent damage to the postoperative wound.
Eating a Few Days After Tooth Extraction
Gradually, the restrictions become less strict and are eventually lifted completely. However, it’s essential to monitor your diet to avoid accidentally damaging the healing area.
Recommended Foods
The best option remains soft, pureed, and liquid foods that don’t strain the jaw. When eating soups or purees, there is less need for chewing, which reduces the risk of damaging the blood clot and newly formed tissues in the postoperative wound.
Include easily digestible foods rich in proteins, vitamins, and beneficial micro and macro elements to support the immune system, which plays a crucial role in preventing inflammation.
Suitable foods include:
- Vegetable purees — such as mashed potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, and carrot;
- Fruit purees — apple or banana;
- Steamed omelet;
- Porridges made with water or milk;
- Chicken, turkey, or beef mousses;
- Boiled fish, especially salmon;
- Yogurt and fermented milk products.
From around the fourth day after tooth extraction, you can start adding:
- Steamed meat or fish meatballs;
- Well-cooked porridges;
- Vegetable stews;
- Soft pasta;
- Hummus;
- Soft cheese.
It is advisable to avoid processed foods, those containing flavor enhancers, or at least limit their intake. These products may irritate the mucous membrane and even cause an allergic reaction, which could be harmful to the healing wound.
Foods to Avoid
As in the early days after the extraction, some foods are undesirable or strictly prohibited. Anything that irritates the mucosa, causes discomfort, or could damage the blood clot protecting the wound from infection should be avoided. This includes:
- Hard foods — such as sausage, chocolate, smoked products, certain fruits and vegetables, and nuts;
- Foods with sharp edges — like chips, seeds, popcorn, and croutons;
- Spicy foods and dishes with a lot of spices — as they irritate the area and increase local blood flow;
- Acidic foods — they cause irritation, discomfort, and can slow down the healing process;
- Berries and fruits with small seeds — these can get into the wound or get stuck between teeth.
General Dietary Recommendations
For several days after a tooth extraction, avoid chewing food on the side of the jaw where the tooth was located. Do not touch the postoperative wound with your fingers or tongue. You may observe the area, but avoid touching it.
Follow the principles of fractional eating. Eat 5-6 small meals a day to avoid overloading the jaw.
Take your time and swallow carefully to prevent choking.
If possible, replace tea and coffee with plain water. It is important to drink enough water to ensure proper digestion and maintain hydration levels that support optimal wound healing.
Avoid eating food that is too hot. Let it cool down before consuming it.
How to Care for Your Mouth After Eating
After tooth extraction, your dentist will not only advise you on your diet but also explain how to care for your mouth. Much of the care depends on the patient’s individual circumstances. For example, the dentist may prescribe:
- Anesthetics — to relieve pain;
- Antibiotics — to reduce the risk of infection;
- Anti-inflammatory medications — to prevent or reduce inflammation if it occurs.
However, there are basic recommendations that are suitable for most cases.
Oral care after tooth extraction not only provides infection protection but can also be a risk factor if done incorrectly. For example, you might accidentally damage the blood clot in the socket while brushing your teeth. Therefore, brush with gentle, light movements, avoiding the extraction site for 2-3 days.
It is not advisable to rinse your mouth, as this increases the risk of dislodging the protective blood clot. If your dentist permits rinsing, they will specify that you should use warm boiled water and that the process should be done very carefully.
Monitor your health closely. Swelling and bleeding after tooth extraction are normal. However, if swelling persists or bleeding continues beyond 3-5 days, you should visit your dentist for a check-up.
The AESTHETE dental clinic is located in Dubai (UAE), on Bluewaters Island. We provide a wide range of dental treatments and use tooth-preserving methods whenever possible. However, if tooth preservation is not feasible for any reason, our dentists perform extractions quickly and carefully, following all necessary protocols. They will also provide guidance on when you can eat again and what foods to consume after the extraction.
If you experience any issues with soft tissue healing or complications arise, please contact our clinic as soon as possible.
The administrators of AESTHETE dental center are available to answer your questions, help you schedule an appointment, and guide you through the booking process.
Questions and Answers
Can I drink hot beverages?
Hot beverages are prohibited immediately after tooth extraction. Water and drinks should be at room temperature or slightly warm. You should wait at least 24 hours after leaving the dentist's office before drinking hot tea or coffee.
How many days after can I return to my normal diet?
You may gradually return to your usual diet within 24 hours after the tooth extraction. However, it is recommended to avoid spicy, acidic, and salty foods for a few more days.