After tooth extraction, a wound is created. It takes time to heal. Before new tissue forms in the socket, a clot should appear there. It needs to be taken care of properly, and one of the things that needs to be taken care of is a proper diet. This is especially important right after the procedure. What can you eat to ensure proper healing? How long do you have to stick to the diet?
Why is the diet after tooth extraction so important?
After tooth extraction, the area left behind is susceptible to infection. The so-called soft diet, rich in crushed foods such as soup, vegetable puree or fruit cocktails, allows you to avoid mechanical irritation of the wound by hard pieces of food, which could lead to infection. Hard foods like nuts and chips can irritate the gums, which can cause pain and delay the healing process.
After tooth extraction, the body needs adequate nutrients to help the wound heal quickly. A diet rich in protein, vitamins (especially vitamin C, which supports tissue healing), minerals and, above all, water, can accelerate wound healing.
A proper diet also has a very large impact on the condition of the wound itself. By reaching for food and drinks that are too hot, it is easy to dissolve the not completely dried blood structure, which will cause it to fall out. The clot after tooth extraction - because this is what we are talking about - is very delicate and must be handled carefully.
What to eat after tooth extraction?
To avoid irritation and deterioration of the wound after tooth extraction, you should ensure a proper diet. For the first two days after the procedure, you should mainly stick to a soft diet based on semi-liquid dishes. It is important that they are not heated too much. After the treatment, it is worth reaching for:
- Porridge or oatmeal;
- soups or yogurts;
- poorly cooked scrambled eggs;
- fruit purees like applesauce;
- soft fruits and vegetables;
- soft boiled eggs.
It is worth reaching for meals rich in vitamin C, which supports the production of collagen necessary for the production of new tissue. The food you eat should be at room temperature. It is best to choose dishes that have a liquid consistency - biting may be difficult and painful, especially in the first day after the procedure.
It is worth asking your doctor about what you can eat after the procedure. Following the recommendations is necessary for the healing process to proceed properly. The specialist's post-extraction recommendations will include detailed information on what you can eat and what you should avoid. They must be strictly observed.
When can you eat your first meal after tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, the patient must wait at least 2 hours before eating his first meal. In special cases, e.g. after a very difficult extraction, the specialist may recommend refraining from eating for a longer time. During the first two hours, a clot should form in the wound. Eating during this time may cause it to fall out, which has serious consequences (primarily pain).
When will I be able to eat normally again after tooth extraction?
For the first 2-3 days after tooth extraction, you should follow a diet based on liquid or semi-liquid dishes. It will be possible to return to a normal diet when the wound has largely healed. It usually takes about 7 days.
What to drink after tooth extraction?
You should completely refrain from drinking for the first two hours. Afterwards, it is advisable to drink plenty of fluids. This avoids dehydration of the body and promotes tissue regeneration. After extraction, you should primarily drink cool water or other non-carbonated drinks - preferably with low sugar content.
Drinks should be taken from a glass or bottle. Avoid drinking through a straw - although it may seem convenient, especially in cases of severe swelling, it is a direct route to damaging the clot.