Recovering from a tooth extraction comes with its share of challenges. Whatever issue you had has likely been dealt with, but you are now left with a sore socket (the hole left in the gums when a tooth is removed) that can take a couple of weeks to fully heal.
While the site of the extraction heals, the patient's ability to eat hard, tough or crunchy foods is severely limited.
Patients are better off sticking to soft foods, preferably those that contain all the essential nutrients needed for the body to repair itself. Here are nutritious foods that can be safely eaten after an extraction:
Mashed potatoes are easy on a person's teeth and are a great source of fiber and carbohydrates. This dish is extremely easy to make from scratch, and there are many instant mashed potatoes products available. Patients should ensure that there are no large lumps in the dish since biting down on one of these can aggravate the site of the extraction.
If there is one set of people who have every right to eat as much ice cream as they want, it is those who are recovering from an extraction. Patients should go for flavors that do not contain any lumps of fruits or candy.
Ice cream is a great source of proteins, which are essential for tissue repair. The cold from it also soothes the site of the extraction. This helps quicken the recovery process.
Patients should stock up on soups (especially broth-based ones) when preparing for an extraction. It provides much-needed protein, as well as a variety of minerals. It is a great way to get nutrients that are essential for recovery without consuming much sugar.
Soups should be consumed while warm and not hot. The site of the extraction will be sore for a few days, and hot liquids can aggravate it, lengthening the person's recovery. Nutritious soup options to consider after an extraction include celery, tomato and chicken noodle soup.
As is the case with all other soft foods, patients should stay away from anything that contains chunks of meat or vegetables.
There are literally countless options when it comes to smoothies and milkshakes. The smooth types will not aggravate an extraction site, and both are packed with lots of proteins and other nutrients. Do not use a straw to consume these since the suction caused can disrupt the healing site.
Recovering from a tooth extraction is not something anyone looks forward to, but it does give you the perfect excuse to eat all the ice cream and smoothies you want. Feed your body with the nutrients it needs to repair itself to ensure your recovery goes smoothly.
Reach out to our Los Gatos office to learn more about things to eat after an extraction.
Request an appointment here: https://www.scmountaindental.com or call Brent C. Lay, DDS at (408) 500-0813 for an appointment in our Los Gatos office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction.
A dentist might recommend root canal therapy or tooth extraction to treat an infected or badly damaged tooth. Factors like the severity of the infection and the tooth's location often determine how the dentist approaches treating a patient.Tooth extraction is the cheaper alternative, but it can end up costing more than root canal therapy if…
Sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary. This procedure is not an easy thing to do, but it is often crucial for maintaining oral health, especially when leaving the affected tooth could cause other, usually much more severe health concerns. Some of the reasons for tooth extraction can be avoided with preventive care like dental checkups…
Tooth extraction is a relatively common procedure as teeth become decayed, which results in a need for removal. Many people who are living with problematic teeth automatically assume that these teeth need to be extracted from the mouth, however, sometimes they can be salvaged by a general dentist. It is good to know when a…
Wisdom teeth are late-stage molars. When they emerge from the gums and squeeze by your existing teeth, in a process known as impaction, they may cause a lot of pain. Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause jaw alignment issues, sinus issues, recurrent cavities, and cysts.Some individuals are lucky enough to avoid such wisdom tooth symptoms…
Dental crowns are one of the versatile restorations used in dentistry. Crowns are used to save damaged teeth that cannot be saved using less invasive procedures. Damage can occur to teeth at any time, leaving them severely compromised.Placing a crown on a tooth requires making permanent alterations by removing enamel to create a better fit.…
Dentures help some people regain their smiles without surgery. Breaking them in is important. It is the period of making your prosthesis a part of your life. Learning how to wear your dental prosthesis is important. If you want to find out how to maintain a secure and comfortable attachment for your dentures, here are…