Our teeth could become damaged, infected, or decayed for several reasons. If the dentist can’t repair the teeth with dental filling or crown due to extensive decay or accident, tooth extraction becomes the only option. Although tooth removal is a brave step that improves dental health, you may also feel discomfort after the procedure.
Aftercare is always important in successful healing after tooth extraction, and food plays a big role. You must know when can I eat after tooth extraction’ to ensure you don’t do something that worsens or delays the healing process. Let’s find out more.
What are the Types of Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extractions are of two main types.
- Simple Tooth Extraction
The dentist performs this type of extraction on fully erupted teeth. An individual needs this particular procedure if:
- Teeth have root canals or cavity fillings and cannot be treated
- Teeth are fractured or cracked
- Teeth cause soft tissue trauma toward the cheeks
- Teeth are overcrowded
- Surgical Tooth Extraction
It is a type of extraction that requires making an incision in the gums and bone removal for extracting the teeth. One may need this procedure if:
- The wisdom tooth is impacted
- A fractured tooth that cannot be accessed without removing the bone
How Soon Can We Eat After Tooth Extraction?
Some people ask, ‘When can I eat after tooth extraction’? Ideally, one needs to avoid eating that needs chewing for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction. It is better to stick to liquids, but if you are still hungry, then going for soft foods that need little chewing is ideal. Another important thing to be careful of is never using a straw.
As the recovery process continues, it is advised to incorporate other foods into your diet slowly. You can eat the semisoft foods on the third day, which include oatmeal or scrambled eggs. If you can eat such foods without pain, you can move towards soft foods like chicken, fruits, or vegetables.
Which Foods Should be Avoided After Tooth Extraction?
It is strongly recommended that one avoid alcoholic beverages for a minimum of 24 hours after tooth extraction. Alcohol consumption should also be avoided if you take powerful pain medications. Although milk is known to be a great calcium source, it is advised not to consume milk products for at least 24 hours if you are taking pain medication or have had anesthesia because you may develop nausea.
When talking about aftercare, it is advised not to eat crunchy, chewy, brittle, or hard foods like chips, nuts, and popcorn. It is also worth mentioning that acidic and spicy foods should not be consumed because they can cause the extraction site to irritate. It will be difficult for you to properly chew the tough cuts of meat since they need grinding and chomping, and you may find it uncomfortable during the recovery process. Keep in mind that dairy products can be a good source of protein for you.
Reliable Periodontist in Townsville, QLD, Australia
It is important that you follow food-related aftercare tips to make sure that you have a quick and smooth healing after tooth extraction. My Family Dental QLD has a team of professionals who will examine your teeth and gums to determine whether tooth extraction is necessary for you or not. Our aim is to give you expert advice and restore your oral health so that you can eat after tooth extraction.
If you want to know ‘when can I eat after tooth extraction,’ call us today or make an appointment to discuss the tooth extraction process.
