At some point in your life you will most likely need to have a tooth extracted.

Whether it is your wisdom (third molars) or another tooth it is a relatively minor procedure.

Knowing what to eat post-surgery can ease your recovery after a tooth extraction.

After your surgery it is important to eat soft nourishing food.

Over the next several days you can progress to more solid food but maintaining a healthy diet will help ease recovery.

Here are some ideas on what to eat post-surgery

Ice Cream

After surgery, spoil yourself!

Eating ice cream after a tooth extraction is a nice treat. The first couple of days, stick to soft serve.

This soft cool sweet treat soothes the inflamed tissue and promotes a quicker healing process.

It is ok to indulge but AVOID the cone.

The hard cone can overwork the jaw and small bits can get lodged in the extraction site. This can cause irritation and infection. Don’t eat flavors with chips or chunks of food in them for at least five days into recovery.

Applesauce

Applesauce is smooth, sweet and contains a lot of vitamin C and dietary fiber.

These are all great reasons to include this treat to your post-surgery diet.

Applesauce also requires very little jaw movement which will aid recovery.

Soup

Bland, broth-based soups are a great introduction to your diet after a Tooth Extraction.

Soup is easy to eat and a good source of nutrients.

Make sure you enjoy the soup warm NOT Hot. Make sure you start with broth-based soups, but you can move into cream-based soups and soups with small bits 1 or 2 days after surgery.

A few good options to eat after your surgery include chicken noodle, tomato, beef broth, or cream of celery soup.

Gelatin (Jello)

Easy to eat and full of flavor this is a great option post-surgery.

Gelatin has 2 grams of protein per half-cup serving. Protein is an essential nutrient and will help speed recovery.

Mashed Potatoes

A good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Potassium, Mashed Potatoes are an excellent option post-surgery. Creamy mashed potatoes are easy to eat and offer a savory, nutritious meal.

Make sure you mash the potatoes to a creamy consistency to avoid any lumps.

Yogurt

Loaded with calcium & protein, yogurt is another nutrient-packed post-surgery option.

The smooth consistency makes yogurt ideal. Make sure you choose an option that has doesn’t have added ingredients that need to be chewed.

Smoothies

Smoothies are an easy way to get nutrition into your post-surgery diet.

Yogurt, fresh, seedless fruits like bananas and protein powders will keep your smoothies healthy.

Avoid fruits with small seeds like raspberries as they can get impacted in the surgical areas, causing additional discomfort and lengthening the recovery period.

CAUTION: Don’t consume smoothies through a straw! The pressure can disrupt the healing site and lead to dry sockets.

Oatmeal

Instant oatmeal packets offer a quick snack that is easy to eat and come in a variety of flavors. Make sure you wait until day 3 before eating oatmeal, as the wisdom teeth sockets may still be healing, and the oats may cause irritation.

Another alternative to oatmeal is instant cream of wheat or grits for a smoother consistency.

What to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction

To promote quick healing, you should avoid the following after a Tooth Extraction. Straws should never be used after an extraction. The suction can remove clots that aid in healing and lead to dry sockets, a painful side effect that sometimes occurs after surgery. Avoid acidic foods that can irritate gum tissue. Avoid oats, seeds, crunchy and hard to chew food to the first 4 – 6 days. These foods can irritate the gums and extraction site.

Gauge your return to normal foods by how your mouth feels. If it is hard to chew, don’t push yourself, but continue to eat soft foods until you can comfortably handle normal food. And be sure that you get adequate nutrition. Make sure your diet includes protein and vitamin C.