Eating following having a tooth extracted can be difficult. If you eat the wrong foods, you can do a lot of damage to the extraction spot. You could cut the area open and restart the bleeding, you could pull out the clot, or you could get debris in there and cause an infection. If you are going to try eating following a tooth extraction, here are a few tips to make it a bit easier.

Go Soft with Your Food Choices

Soft foods are ideal following an extraction. If you can stomach yogurt without fruit chunks in it, this is a great food as it helps to keep your other teeth healthy while you heal. Don’t go with foods that are really hot or cold, as that can hurt the extraction site. Opt for anything soft that is easy to chew, like noodles, pudding, or oatmeal.

Do Not Eat Anything Sticky or Through a Straw

If you put something sticky in your mouth, or try and drink through a straw, you can easily suck out the clot and leave yourself with dry socket. You want to avoid this at all costs. Eat things that are not going to stick anywhere in your mouth, and never use a straw (or smoke) for about a week after the extraction.

Take Pain Relief About an Hour Before Eating

If you are worried about being sore, take some over the counter pain relief about an hour before eating. That way it will be kicked in enough to be helpful by the time you start eating. Make sure you stick with the kinds your dentist told you were safe.


If you want help figuring out any other tips for eating after getting a tooth extracted, contact our office. He or she can give you tips, just like they gave you aftercare instructions.