After a tooth extraction, eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, scrambled eggs, applesauce and bananas. Chew on the other side of your mouth. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for about a week and do not drink through a straw for at least 24 hours so the healing blood clot stays in place.
Having a tooth removed is a common procedure and most people heal well at home. What you eat in the first days matters because the goal of aftercare is to protect the blood clot that forms in the socket. This guide explains which foods are gentle on a healing site, what to avoid and when you can usually return to your normal diet.
Why does food matter after a tooth extraction?
MouthHealthy, the American Dental Association's patient site, explains that after a tooth is pulled your mouth slowly fills in the bone where the root was through the formation of a blood clot. Anything that disturbs that clot can slow healing. That is why MouthHealthy advises patients to follow the diet their dentist suggests and to avoid anything that might prevent normal healing.
Losing the clot too early can lead to a painful problem called dry socket. You can read more about it in our guide to dry socket symptoms and prevention.
What can I eat after a tooth extraction?
MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, recommends eating soft foods until the wound heals. Good choices include:
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Avocado
- Bananas
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Soft bread
- Smoothies and milkshakes, eaten with a spoon for the first day
The first five come from MedlinePlus and the rest from MouthHealthy's guidance on eating after oral surgery. MouthHealthy's list of gentle foods for a sore mouth also includes oatmeal made with milk, pudding, custard, tofu and cooked or canned vegetables.
MedlinePlus also suggests chewing on the other side of your mouth, away from the extraction site.
What should I avoid eating after a tooth extraction?
A few habits put the healing socket at risk. Based on MedlinePlus and MouthHealthy guidance:
- Hard and crunchy foods. MedlinePlus advises avoiding them for 1 week. Think chips, nuts, popcorn and crusty bread.
- Straws. Both MedlinePlus and MouthHealthy say not to drink through a straw for at least 24 hours.
- Smoking and tobacco. Both sources advise against smoking after an extraction.
- Vigorous rinsing. MouthHealthy recommends rinsing gently for the first few days if you need to rinse at all.
MouthHealthy also notes that spicy foods, acidic foods and citrus fruits can irritate sore spots in the mouth, so milder choices may feel more comfortable while you heal.
When can I eat solid food after a tooth extraction?
MedlinePlus explains that it takes 1 to 2 weeks for the socket to heal. Stay with soft foods until the area feels comfortable and avoid hard or crunchy foods for the first week. MouthHealthy notes that a liquid or soft foods diet may be needed for a few days or longer after oral surgery, until your mouth heals.
Healing is different for everyone. A simple extraction and a surgical wisdom tooth removal may call for different instructions, so your dentist's advice for your own case comes first.
How can food help you heal?
Eating well supports recovery. MouthHealthy suggests nutrient rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy foods and lean meats after oral surgery. It names protein, zinc and vitamins A and C as nutrients that support healing. Blending fruit into a smoothie or adding soft cooked vegetables to soup are easy ways to get these nutrients without much chewing.
When to see a dentist
Some soreness after an extraction is normal. MedlinePlus advises contacting your dentist if you notice:
- Fever or chills
- Severe swelling or pus from the extraction site
- Pain or heavy bleeding that continues several hours after the extraction
- Pain that returns or gets worse a few days later
- Trouble swallowing
MouthHealthy adds that if you have swelling, you can apply a cold cloth or an ice bag and call your dentist right away. If you are unsure how urgent your symptoms are, our "Where does it hurt?" symptom guide can help you decide how soon to be seen.
At our Palo Alto office on Middlefield Road, we perform tooth extractions in house. Same day emergency visits are available Monday through Thursday and Friday mornings for patients from Palo Alto, Menlo Park and nearby communities.
Common questions
How long after a tooth extraction can I eat?
Follow the timing your dentist gives you after your procedure. When you start eating, choose soft foods and chew on the other side of your mouth. MouthHealthy advises following the diet your dentist suggests.
Can I drink a smoothie after a tooth extraction?
Yes, smoothies and milkshakes are among the soft foods MouthHealthy suggests after oral surgery. Eat them with a spoon at first, because MedlinePlus and MouthHealthy both advise against drinking through a straw for at least 24 hours.
What can I eat 3 days after a tooth extraction?
Most people are still eating soft foods at this point, such as eggs, soup, oatmeal, yogurt and mashed potatoes. MedlinePlus recommends avoiding hard and crunchy foods for the first week. If eating becomes more painful instead of easier, call your dentist.
Have questions about an upcoming extraction or your recovery? Request an appointment or call us at (650) 321-9693.
Sources
Tooth extraction, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Extractions, MouthHealthy (American Dental Association)
What (and How) to Eat When You're Having Dental Issues, MouthHealthy (American Dental Association)
This article provides general education and does not replace an individual dental examination or diagnosis.
