What You Should (and Should Not) Eat After a Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction is uncomfortable — and it can make it difficult to find something easy to eat. But there’s another reason you should be careful about what you eat after a tooth removal. Being mindful of your diet can help prevent damage after surgery.

That’s important because the healing process starts immediately after a tooth extraction. Your dentist will place some cotton gauze in the area for you to bite into. The pressure helps to decrease the bleeding from your tooth’s socket by forming a blood clot. 

The wrong foods can disturb the surgery site and prevent the blood clot from forming or staying put. This disruption can slow recovery, increase the risk of infection, and cause complications like a dry socket. On the other hand, taking in the right nutrients can speed up your healing, reduce swelling, and give you the energy you need to recover.

What foods can you eat after a tooth extraction?

The best foods to eat after wisdom teeth removal –– or any tooth extraction –– are soft and nutrient-rich. In fact, many dentists recommend sticking to liquids and soft, easy-to-eat foods for at least 24 to 48 hours after a tooth extraction. A balanced diet with liquids and soft foods can promote healing and lessen discomfort. Examples include fruits, vegetables, starches, high-protein foods, and healthy fats.

Liquid diet

You may not be able to tolerate soft foods during the first few days after tooth extraction, as tenderness and swelling is common. If so, you should stick to a strictly liquid diet.

A liquid diet may include:

• Vegetable juices

• Water

• Caffeine-free beverages 

• Warm (not hot) pureed soups

• Gelatin

• Smoothies

Avoid using a straw right after a tooth extraction. The sucking action can cause excess strain and move the newly formed blood clot, which delays recovery. 

Soft diet

As your mouth begins to heal, you can transition to a soft diet with foods that are easy to chew and swallow. These foods may be chopped or ground into small pieces. Or they can be mashed up or pureed in a blender before eating.

Here are some soft foods to eat after tooth extraction:

• Soups with soft vegetables or meat

• Soft grains (like oatmeal, rice, cream of rice, and risotto)

• Cooked pasta

• Ripened sliced bananas

• Applesauce

• Baked apples (without the skin)

• Baked or boiled sweet potatoes or yams

• Spinach

• Beets

• Cooked carrot slices

• Mashed potatoes

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High-protein foods

It’s important to include high-protein foods in your diet. Doing so can help speed up the healing process. You can add protein to smoothies or soups.

Foods that are high in protein include:

• Protein powder

• Yogurt (Tip: Greek yogurt is higher in protein than regular yogurt.)

• Cottage cheese

• Tofu

• Lean meats and fish

• Scrambled eggs

Healthy fats

You can add healthy fats to promote wound healing. Some healthy fats to include in your diet are:

• Avocado

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Coconut butter

• Flax oil

What foods should you avoid after tooth extraction?

To ensure a quick recovery, avoid foods that can irritate the open tooth socket. Any foods that may get stuck in the open tooth socket will interfere with the blood clot forming. This can delay your healing process and may cause a painful infection.

Foods to avoid after a tooth extraction include:

• Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods (like seeds, nuts, chips, and candies)

• Acidic foods (like citrus fruits and tomatoes)

• Hot and spicy foods

• Carbonated beverages

• Alcohol

• Tobacco products

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Written by:

Zack Youngblood, DMD

Zack Youngblood, DMD, is a dentist who strives to change the general look of dentistry. Before stepping foot in the clinical field, he authored multiple works that helped dental students and dentists find their unique path in dentistry.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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