After a tooth extraction, it is important to take good care of your gums so that they do not suffer any unnecessary irritation. We typically recommend that patients avoid hard or crunchy foods like nuts, chips, toast, cereal or anything else that could possibly be abrasive. It is also important to avoid anything that requires you to bite down aggressively or to chew for too long. Foods that are soft and easy to chew are a better bet for the few days after your procedure.
We understand that dietary restrictions can be challenging for some people, especially when already experience discomfort due to facial or jaw swelling. You can begin minimizing this discomfort by taking ibuprofen and using an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time to reduce the swelling. Afterward, here are some ideas for food that you can eat during your recovery.
Breakfast
The first meal of the day is essential for giving the body the energy that it needs to stay focused and alert. Eating protein is helpful so we recommend that patients eat scrambled or hard-boiled eggs. Both are easy to chew and will not irritate the gums. As a bonus, if one makes several hard-boiled eggs, then he or she can eat them throughout the day.
The patient can also make oatmeal or cream of wheat with whole milk so that he or she gets the necessary nutrition without irritating the gums. A smoothie is also an excellent solution since the patient can add all of his or her favorite fruits and vegetables along with protein powder and yogurt.
Lunch
If one needs to get back to work after tooth extractions, then he or she will need to plan ahead for lunch. A hummus sandwich is incredibly easy since one only needs to spread the hummus on soft bread. This is easy to chew and one can eat hummus for a snack whenever he or she likes. Toss in a single serving of yogurt, applesauce, or pudding to round out the meal.
Dinner
Avoid meat that is hard to chew such as beef, pork, and chicken for at least a few days. Instead, eat a flaky fish or tofu. A patient can also make a vegetable soup using his or her favorite veggies and spices. Some soups like potato and carrot, are delicious when one blends them, which is even easier to eat. One can also bake a sweet potato in the oven for a filling addition to dinner that tastes fantastic and is easy to chew.
When it comes to eating something sweet, stick with ice cream, pudding or popsicles for a few days. Remember that after tooth extractions, you will need to continue to eat a healthy and well-balanced meal in order to increase your body's ability to recover. You will also want to keep up with your oral hygiene habits and we can discuss how to care for your teeth without irritating your gum during your appointment. For more information or tips, give us a call at (201) 244-7658.
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