What Foods to Eat and Avoid After a Tooth Extraction?

Although tooth extraction is a routine procedure, a dentist near you will only remove the teeth when necessary. The dentist will first use other treatments to preserve the teeth. However, if these teeth are severely damaged, the dentist will remove them.

Tooth extraction can also be recommended in the following situations:

• Severe decay. Poor dental hygiene is the primary cause of cavities and decay. The dentist will use dental fillings and root canals to save the teeth. But, if the decay has spread to the root, then tooth extraction is ideal.

• Impacted teeth. The teeth can become impacted when there is a lack of space in the jaw to accommodate the teeth, and the most affected are the wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can cause swelling, pain, and soreness in the gums.

• Overcrowding. Teeth can become overcrowded if you have narrow jaws. Overcrowding can lead to misalignment and increase your risk of dental decay. Our Phoenix dentist will remove the extra teeth to make room for the teeth alignment treatment.

Tooth extraction is either surgical or non-surgical, depending on the visibility of the teeth.

What Can You Expect After the Procedure?

After the teeth are removed, there will be pain, swelling, and bleeding. These problems will last for a few days, but the dentist will give you medication to ease the discomfort. A blood clot also forms in the socket to protect it and facilitate healing. It is crucial to protect the blood clot and keep it from breaking, leading to a dry socket.

What is the Tooth Extraction Recovery Timeline?

The tooth extraction recovery varies based on the type of extraction done, but it can range between one to four weeks.

• First 24 hours

It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities to keep the gums from bleeding. You can resume activities like driving and office jobs a day after the tooth extraction procedure.

Gum swelling will peak in the first 24 hours after surgery but will clear with home remedies like ice therapy.

• 1 to 2 days after extraction

The first 48 hours post-extraction is the most crucial because that’s when the mouth is healing. You may experience mild bleeding and soreness in the extraction site. It is important to rest and allow the body to recover and elevate the head to stop swelling and ease the pain. Also, avoid smoking and taking alcohol or drinking using straws.

• 3 days after extraction

The socket will have mostly healed, and there should not be bleeding present. The gum swelling will have subsided, but you can have tenderness and soreness. You can use saline rinses to prevent bacteria from developing in the area.

• A week after the extraction

After seven to ten days, the clot will have formed fully, and the stitches will have dissolved or been removed. The swelling, bleeding, and pain should have cleared, so contact a dentist near you if you have bleeding at this stage.

• Two weeks post-extraction

10 to 14 days after the extraction, the socket will have healed, but the tissue might be tender, so do not brush harshly and avoid chewing hard foods.

• Three+ weeks

The healing process is complete, but there may be gum tenderness around the extraction site. It is crucial to rinse the socket to prevent debris from building up.

What to Eat After Tooth Extraction?

During the first week after tooth extraction, it is crucial to eat soft and less chewy foods. Some of the recommended foods include; blended foods, broths, Greek yogurt, scrambled egg, mashed potatoes, applesauce, smoothies. Also, increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and other tooth-friendly foods.

What Foods to Avoid After Tooth Extraction?

Several foods can irritate the gums and slow down the recovery process, and it is important to avoid them during the recovery period. Avoid spicy, crunchy, and chewy foods, grains, seeds, and stay away from alcohol or smoking.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit All Smiles Dental Care for more information on tooth extraction procedures and recovery.