Having a tooth extracted can be a challenging experience, but following post-operative dietary guidelines—like choosing soft foods to eat after a tooth extraction—can make your recovery much smoother. At our practice, we see patients return to their normal routines quickly when they follow post-extraction dietary guidelines. Whether you’ve had a simple extraction or more complex dental implant surgery, what you eat in the days following your procedure plays a crucial role in your healing process.
Dr. Jason Yanich, our oral surgeon, often tells patients that the road to recovery starts with your fork. Choosing the right soft foods to eat after tooth extraction isn’t just about avoiding discomfort; it’s about creating the optimal environment for your mouth to heal.
Today, we’ll explore ten soft foods that Dr. Yanich recommends for patients after tooth extraction, along with some important information about what foods to avoid to ensure proper healing of your surgical site. Let’s help you nourish your body while protecting that healing extraction site!
Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
Warm (not hot) oatmeal provides the perfect combination of comfort and nutrition during your recovery process. This breakfast staple offers substantial nutritional value while being gentle on your healing gum tissue. The soft texture requires minimal chewing, making it an ideal choice after dental surgery.
To make your oatmeal even easier to eat, consider cooking it a bit longer than usual for an extra soft consistency. You might want to avoid mix-ins like nuts or dried fruits that require significant chewing. Instead, try adding a bit of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, or a small amount of protein powder mixed in for additional nutrition.
The warmth can also provide mild relief for soreness, but remember to ensure it’s not too hot, as extreme temperatures can interfere with blood clotting at the extraction site.
Cream or Pureed Soups
Warm (never hot) cream or pureed soups offer excellent nutrition without challenging your healing mouth. Butternut squash, tomato bisque, or cream of chicken soup can provide a hearty meal while being incredibly gentle on your surgical site.
Using a food processor to puree your favorite homemade soup can transform practically any recipe into a post-tooth extraction diet staple. Dr. Yanich suggests avoiding chunky soups or those with small ingredients like rice or vegetables that could potentially get lodged in the extraction site.
Soft Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein that requires very little chewing, making them perfect for your soft food diet after oral surgery. The key is preparing them in a soft, moist manner—think very soft scrambled rather than fried or hard-boiled.
Dr. Yanich recommends adding a bit of cheese for extra protein and calcium, both of which support the healing process.
Scrambled eggs can be eaten for any meal of the day, making them a convenient option when you’re limited to only soft foods. They’re also easily digestible, which is important when your body is focusing its energy on healing.
Cottage Cheese and Soft Cheeses
Cottage cheese and other soft cheeses like ricotta provide excellent protein and calcium, nutrients that support healing and bone health, which is especially important after tooth extraction or dental implant surgery.
These soft cheeses have a naturally smooth texture that requires no chewing. Try cottage cheese with a bit of soft fruit like mashed banana or applesauce for a more interesting flavor profile. Ricotta cheese can be seasoned with a touch of honey or cinnamon for a delicious, simple treat.
Smoothies and Shakes
Smoothies and shakes offer virtually unlimited options for nutrition and flavor while adhering to your soft food diet. Using a blender, you can combine fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and protein powder to create a nutritious meal that requires no chewing whatsoever.
Dr. Yanich advises patients to avoid using straws when enjoying these beverages.
For the best recovery experience, drink your smoothies and shakes from a cup or bowl, and consider making them slightly thicker so you can eat them with a spoon. This eliminates the temptation to use a straw and can make the experience more satisfying. For an easy-to-eat option that provides healthy fats and calories, consider adding avocado or nut butter to your smoothies.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
There’s a reason ice cream is often suggested after dental work—the cold temperature can help reduce inflammation and provide mild numbing to sore gum tissue. The soft texture makes it an ideal treat during your recovery process.
Dr. Yanich suggests sticking to smooth varieties without nuts, cookie chunks, or candy pieces that could irritate your healing site. Vanilla, chocolate, or fruit-flavored options without mix-ins are your best bet. And while the coldness can be soothing, avoid extremely frozen ice cream that might require more effort to eat.
Though ice cream shouldn’t be your primary source of nutrition during recovery, it can provide both comfort and calories when your mouth is tender. For a healthier alternative with similar benefits, consider frozen yogurt, which offers the additional advantage of beneficial probiotics.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt deserves its own category in your post-tooth extraction diet plan. With its high protein content and creamy consistency, it offers substantial nutrition while being extremely gentle on your healing mouth.
The natural probiotics in yogurt may also support overall health during your recovery period. Dr. Yanich recommends plain varieties with a touch of honey rather than pre-sweetened options, which can contain more sugar than is ideal during the healing process.
Mashed Potatoes
Few comfort foods rival the appeal of silky mashed potatoes after dental surgery. Their soft texture and familiar taste make them a recovery favorite among our patients.
For extra nutritional value, try sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. They provide additional vitamins and can be prepared just as smoothly. Dr. Yanich suggests ensuring your mashed potatoes are thoroughly whipped without lumps for the most comfortable eating experience.
Adding butter and a touch of salt can make this dish satisfying without compromising your healing process. One patient mentioned that warm mashed potatoes were the first food that made her feel “normal” again after having multiple wisdom teeth removed.
Applesauce
Applesauce provides the refreshing taste of fruit in a perfectly smooth consistency, ideal for healing mouths. It requires zero chewing and slides down easily, making it perfect for the early stages of your recovery process.
Unsweetened varieties offer the benefits of fruit without added sugars.
Consider making homemade applesauce in a food processor if you want to avoid the preservatives found in some commercial brands. You can adjust the sweetness and texture precisely to your preferences and comfort level.
Soft Cooked Grains and Pastas
Well-cooked pasta, risotto, and other soft grains can provide substantial satisfaction when you’re tired of more liquid-based foods. The key is cooking these items until they’re very soft—much softer than you would normally prepare them.
Small pasta shapes like orzo or pastina are especially good choices, as they require minimal chewing. Dr. Yanich recommends avoiding pasta with chunky or spicy sauces, opting instead for butter, olive oil, or smooth tomato sauce.
What Not to Eat After Tooth Extraction
Understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing what you can eat after dental surgery. Dr. Yanich strongly advises patients to avoid these foods during the healing process:
Hard or crunchy foods like chips, crackers, and raw vegetables can damage the surgical site or become painfully lodged in the extraction area. Chewy foods such as steak, jerky, or candy require significant chewing that can strain healing tissues and potentially disrupt blood clotting at the extraction site.
Spicy foods may cause irritation and discomfort at the extraction site, while extremely hot foods or beverages can interfere with the blood clotting process essential for proper healing. Acidic foods and drinks—including citrus fruits, tomatoes, and other acidic juices—can cause significant pain when they come into contact with the surgical site.
Alcoholic beverages should be completely avoided as they can interact with prescribed medications and potentially delay healing. Dr. Yanich also recommends avoiding smoking or using tobacco products, as these significantly impair the healing process and increase the risk of complications like dry socket.
Finally, using straws with any beverage creates suction that can dislodge blood clots from the extraction site, potentially leading to painful complications.
Final Thoughts for a Smooth Recovery
Recovering from tooth extraction doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. With the right soft food diet and proper care of your extraction site, most patients return to their normal diet within a week or two, depending on the specific dental procedures performed.
Remember that your body needs good nutrition to heal efficiently. Even though you’re temporarily limited to soft foods, try to include options from all food groups to maintain a balanced diet that will support your recovery process and overall oral health.
If you have questions about your post-tooth extraction diet or experience unusual pain or symptoms during your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact our office for a free consultation. Dr. Yanich and our team are committed to ensuring your speedy recovery and continued mouth-healthy habits long after your extraction site has healed.
By following these dietary guidelines and giving your mouth the time it needs to heal, you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite foods and showing off your healthy smile before you know it!
