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Holiday Food Guide After Your Tooth Extraction

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By Lakeshore Dental Studio

If you’re looking for a delicious yet tooth-friendly meal to enjoy this holiday season, look no further! Our dental team has put together a guide of food ideas that will help you celebrate without risking your smile. From savory main dishes to sweet treats, we’ve got you covered. So get cooking and enjoy the holidays!

Which Food Items Should You Eat After Tooth Extraction?

Some of the food items you can include in your diet while recovering from tooth extraction are mentioned in the section below.

1. Soft Foods 

Soft food is the best food for someone recovering from a tooth extraction. These food items are gentle on your teeth and gums, which is essential when allowing your body to heal properly. Examples of soft foods include mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, pudding, and applesauce. You should also stay away from crunchy or hard foods such as chips or nuts. 

2. Fruits & Vegetables 

Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that are needed for healing after a dental procedure. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet whenever possible. Examples of healthy fruits that are easy to chew include bananas, oranges, pears, and melons, while vegetables like spinach, kale, and carrots are good options as well. Avoid soft or crunchy raw vegetables such as celery or carrot sticks since chewing them can cause discomfort. 

3. Smoothies & Soups

Smoothies and soups can be excellent options if you want something quick yet nutritious after your tooth extraction procedure. Soups made with vegetable broth are great options since they are soothing on the throat while providing essential nutrients like fiber and vitamins A & C at the same time! Make sure to avoid ingredients like ice or nuts in your smoothie because they can cause pain in your mouth if you’re not careful with them. 

Which Food Items Should Be Avoid After Tooth Extraction?

The food items to avoid while recovering from tooth extraction are:

1. Crunchy or Hard Foods 

Any food that requires excessive chewing should be avoided after tooth extraction. Not only will crunchy or hard foods irritate the wound site, but they could also dislodge any clots that have formed at the extraction site—which is a big no-no! Examples of crunchy or hard foods include chips, nuts, popcorn, granola bars, crackers, and pretzels. 

2. Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like gummy bears and caramels can stick to the wound site and dislodge clots, much like crunchy or hard foods can. The same applies to chewy candy such as taffy or licorice. As a bonus, sticky sweets are often full of sugar which can further delay healing at the wound site. So when in doubt—avoid it! 

3. Hot Drinks 

Hot beverages such as coffee or tea should also be avoided after an extraction because they can increase swelling and discomfort at the wound site. Instead, try sipping on lukewarm liquids such as apple juice or water, which will help keep you hydrated without irritating your mouth any further. 

4. Spicy Foods 

Lastly, spicy foods should also be avoided for several reasons. Not only do spicy ingredients tend to be quite acidic, which can irritate your mouth further, but they can also increase inflammation at the wound site, which may delay healing time significantly. Try sticking to bland yet nutritious meals like mashed potatoes and oatmeal in order to ensure speedy recovery from your tooth extraction procedure.  

Always remember to consult with your dentist before introducing new foods into your diet post-extraction so you don’t risk any unnecessary pain or discomfort during this challenging time! With these tips in mind, we hope you have a happy holiday season free from any dental worries! Enjoy!