What to Eat After a Tooth Extraction: A Soft-Food Guide

If you are having a tooth removed, knowing what to eat after a tooth extraction makes recovery easier to plan. The right foods can help you stay nourished without irritating the area, and the wrong ones can disturb the site while it heals.

This guide covers what to eat on the first night, the soft foods that suit the following days, what to eat after wisdom tooth extraction, foods to avoid and when to call the practice. It ends with answers to common questions.

This article is general information only. Your dentist's instructions for your own extraction come first, and they may differ from the general advice here.

Why Food Choices Matter After an Extraction

After a tooth is removed, a blood clot forms in the socket. The clot helps protect the area while it heals. Hard, hot or sticky foods, chewing on the area and using suction can disturb it.

If the clot is lost, a painful condition called dry socket can develop. Other risks include bleeding and infection. Food choices are one part of looking after the site, alongside the instructions your dentist gives you.

Healing varies between patients, and no timeline can be guaranteed.

The First Few Hours: Before You Eat

Local anaesthetic is commonly used for extractions and can leave your mouth numb for a while. Eating while numb makes it easy to bite your cheek, lip or tongue without noticing.

Wait until the numbness has worn off before eating, unless your dentist advises otherwise. Until then, sip cool or lukewarm water.

First Night After Tooth Extraction: What to Eat

On the first night, choose foods that are soft, smooth, cool or lukewarm and need little or no chewing. Options include:

• Smooth yoghurt, with no fruit pieces or granola.
• Puréed or blended soup, cooled until lukewarm.
• Mashed potato or pumpkin.
• Custard or jelly.
• Scrambled eggs, cooked soft.
• Ice cream or other cold soft foods, eaten gently.
• A smoothie eaten with a spoon, not through a straw.

Eat slowly, take small mouthfuls and keep food away from the extraction site.

The Next Few Days: Soft Foods That Suit Most Patients

As the area becomes more comfortable, you can usually add more variety. Many patients find these suit the following days:

• Porridge or rice porridge (congee), cooled to lukewarm.
• Soft-cooked vegetables.
• Mashed avocado or banana.
• Cottage cheese or ricotta.
• Soft tofu.
• Well-cooked pasta or noodles, cut small.
• Flaked, soft-cooked fish.
• Soft bread without the crust.

Typically, patients move back to firmer foods gradually as chewing becomes comfortable. Your dentist will advise you on what suits your situation.

What to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom tooth extractions are often more involved, and you may have more swelling and tenderness. Many patients need to stay on soft foods for longer, and some find opening wide uncomfortable.

The foods above still apply. Focus on soft, lukewarm foods you can eat with a spoon, and build up slowly. Your dentist will give you specific instructions for your case.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

While the site is healing, avoid:

• Hot foods and drinks. Heat can increase bleeding and disturb the clot.
• Hard or crunchy foods, such as nuts, chips, popcorn and crusty bread.
• Chewy or sticky foods, such as steak, lollies and caramel.
• Spicy or acidic foods, which can irritate the area.
• Small seeds and grains, which can lodge in the socket.
• Straws, because suction can disturb the clot.
• Alcohol, as your dentist advises.

Tips for Eating Comfortably While You Heal

• Chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
• Eat small mouthfuls and take your time.
• Keep foods lukewarm or cool.
• Keep drinking water throughout the day.
• Follow your dentist's instructions on cleaning your mouth, including when and how to rinse.
• If you have diabetes or other dietary needs, ask your dentist or doctor what suits you.

When to Call the Practice

Some tenderness and swelling are common after an extraction. Contact the practice rather than treating a problem yourself if you have:

• Bleeding that does not settle after following your instructions.
• Pain that is getting worse instead of better.
• Swelling that is increasing.
• A fever.
• A bad taste or discharge from the site.
• Difficulty opening your mouth that is getting worse.

For severe swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or bleeding you cannot control, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. Our guide on what to do in a dental emergency explains what to do, including outside opening hours.

Tooth Extraction Food FAQs

How long do I need to stick to soft foods?

It varies. Typically, patients return to firmer foods gradually as chewing becomes comfortable. Your dentist will advise you based on your extraction and how it is healing.

Can I have tea or coffee?

You can have them lukewarm or cool, but avoid hot drinks while the site is healing. Ask your dentist when it is fine to return to hot drinks.

What if food gets stuck in the extraction site?

Do not poke at it with your fingers or a sharp object. Follow your dentist's instructions on rinsing. If you are worried, or you cannot dislodge it, call the practice.

Can I smoke or drink alcohol?

Both can interfere with healing. Ask your dentist what applies to you and for how long.

Call Us If You're Unsure About Your Recovery

Not sure whether what you are feeling is normal, or wondering what you can eat? Call us. We can talk through your symptoms and tell you whether you need to be seen.

At Dentists on Vincent Leederville, our team can answer questions about your recovery and arrange a time to check the area if needed. Please don't wait if you notice bleeding that won't settle, a fever, or pain that is getting worse.

Call us on (08) 9242 4400, or request an appointment online if it is outside opening hours.

We are at 322 Vincent St, Leederville WA 6007, and we see patients across Perth, including West Perth, North Perth, Mount Hawthorn and Subiaco.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a registered dental practitioner. Follow the instructions your dentist gives you. All dental procedures carry risks. Results vary between patients.

PARKING/PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There is ample car parking across the road from the practice

There are cafes and eateries within walking distance

LOCATION

Dentists on Vincent is located in Leederville, 14 min from Northbridge and only short stroll from Leederville Oval and Water Corporation