Do you have an oral surgery scheduled? What foods should you eat to ease your recovery? It's understandable if you are bothered about your diet after tooth extraction. Unlike other times, you must follow a restricted diet and avoid certain foods. For starters, you will need to eat foods that are nutritious and good for your gums. To help you out, we have sorted 50 soft foods to eat after tooth extraction.
The best way to speed up the healing process is to eat soft, nutritious foods that are easy on your gums. For example, fruits like bananas and mangoes, as well as vegetables like pumpkins and zucchini, are considered significant for your tooth extraction diet. Eating these foods will exert less pressure on your gums, and you will experience less discomfort.
We have a guide ready if you are wondering what to eat after tooth extraction. Read the post below and find out what suits your tooth extraction diet.
List Of 50 Soft Foods To Eat After Tooth Extraction
"What can I eat after tooth extraction?" This is the most common question people ask after oral surgery. Well, you can eat plenty of food, so you don't have to worry about starving yourself. You have to make sure not to eat hard foods that will put pressure on your gums. So, if you are ready to whip up some delicious meals after dental surgery, look at the list below.
Fruits

Here are some fruits you can eat after your tooth extraction:
Applesauce
Applesauce is smooth, easy to eat, gentle on your gums, and sweet.
Mangoes
You can eat pureed mangoes as they are soft and packed with vitamins. Plus, they serve as an excellent post-surgery snack.
Avocado
Avocados have a creamy texture and are rich in nutrients. They are perfect for a soft diet as they can be mashed easily.
Bananas
The good thing about eating bananas is that they are soft and easy to digest. They are also gentle on your gums and offer an energy boost.
Vegetables and Legumes

These are some veggies that are perfect for after tooth extraction:
Mashed vegetables
Eating pureed or mashed vegetables like carrots and peas are nutritious and easy to eat after surgery.
Zucchini
It would help if you cooked zucchini until tender. Since it is a mild vegetable, it is easy on your teeth.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin feels soft and creamy when cooked. It offers a soothing and nutritious option for those recently undergoing oral surgery.
Steamed or well-cooked vegetables
Vegetables like spinach and squash become very soft when steamed, so you can add them to your soft foods after wisdom teeth removal.
Proteins

For your daily protein intake, you can eat these items:
Baked beans
Baked beans are soft and easy to chew and serve as a good source of protein and fibre. You can eat them without hurting your gums.
Fish
Tender fishes like salmon and cod are easy to chew and protein-rich. They are the best things to eat after tooth extraction.
Ground chicken
You can add cooked and finely ground chicken to your tooth extraction diet. It is soft and packed with protein, making it a perfect option for recovery.
Meatballs
Soft, moist meatballs made from ground meat are gentle on your mouth and nutritious.
Meatloaf
A moist, tender meatloaf is easy to chew and provides ample protein. Therefore, you should add it to your diet after tooth extraction.
Clams
You can also eat steamed clams as they are pretty soft and flavourful. Also, they are a great protein source.
Deli meats
Thinly sliced deli meats are soft and ideal for post-extraction meals.
Eggs
After your surgery, You can eat scrambled and boiled eggs as they are soft and full of protein.
Salmon
Flaky and tender salmon is not only gentle on your teeth, but they are also rich in healthy fats.
Grains and Carbohydrates

These food items are rich in carbohydrates and ideal for post tooth extraction:
Biscuits
You can eat softened biscuits that are easy to chew. To soften the biscuit, you should soak it in milk or broth.
Oatmeal
When it comes to foods to eat after tooth extraction, you can add warm, creamy oatmeal to your diet. It is both gentle on your mouth and good for your stomach.
Rice
Soft-cooked rice is easy to swallow and can be paired with other soft foods. Plus, it is a good source of carbohydrates for your body.
Risotto
If you want to eat something delicious after your tooth extraction surgery, try creamy risotto. It is both soft and flavourful.
Bread
Soaked bread in soup or broth becomes very soft, making it easy to chew and swallow.
Cold cereal
Letting cereal soak in milk until soft is an excellent way to enjoy it without pain.
Macaroni and cheese
Soft pasta in a creamy cheese sauce is comforting and easy to eat. You should try it out for the best food after teeth pull.
Mashed potatoes
Smooth and creamy, mashed potatoes are a classic soft food that's gentle on your mouth and perfect for eating after oral surgery.
Spaghetti
Well-cooked spaghetti can be easily chewed and swallowed. So, you can include it in your tooth extraction diet.
Sweetbreads
You can also eat soft and mild sweetbreads, which are delicate and good for your gums.
Desserts

For desserts, you can have these items after your oral surgery:
Cheesecake
If you want dessert after tooth extraction, you should eat cheesecake. It is a delicious treat that's easy on your gums and teeth.
Mousse
Mousse is a smooth dessert that's gentle to eat. Its light texture makes it a perfect option after tooth removal.
Smoothies
Smoothies are packed with fruits and easy to sip. Plus, they are nutritious and soothing.
Pudding
Creamy pudding is easy to eat and can come in various flavours. You can enjoy them thoroughly even after your tooth extraction surgery.
Custard
Custard is a rich and smooth food that is delicious to eat. You can indeed eat it without worries after tooth removal.
Ice cream
Those who like ice cream can eat it after tooth removal to reduce swelling.
Jell-O
Gelatine-based desserts are wobbly, easy to swallow, and refreshing, especially after an oral surgery.
Sherbet
Although slightly firmer than ice cream, sherbet is still soft and cooling.
Dairy and Alternatives

Here are some dairy products and alternatives you can consume:
Cottage cheese
Soft and mild cottage cheese is easy to chew and nutritious. Therefore, you should include it in your diet after tooth extraction.
Yogurt
Creamy and smooth yogurt is gentle on your teeth. But the best part is that they are available in various flavours.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt but is high in protein.
Milkshakes
Cold and creamy milkshakes are easy to sip and soothing for your gums. Plus, you can choose from a variety of flavours.
Miscellaneous
Some miscellaneous foods that you can eat after post-tooth removal include:
Baby food
Pureed and smooth baby food is designed to be easy to eat and digest.
Porridge
You can eat porridge as it is easy to swallow and can be made from various grains.
Nut Butter
Creamy nut butter is smooth and easy to eat or spread on soft foods.
Egg salad
Chopped eggs mixed with mayonnaise create a soft and easy-to-eat dish perfect for your sensitive gums after oral surgery.
Semolina
Semolina turns smooth and creamy after cooking. It serves as a gentle and nutritious option for those getting a tooth extraction.
Broth
Warm broth is soothing and perfect for hydration and nutrition.
Hummus
You can eat smooth and creamy hummus as they are full of protein.
Juice
Sipping fresh juice is healthy as it is packed with vitamins.
Smoothies
You can also drink smoothies by blending various fruits and vegetables into a drinkable meal.
Soups
Pureed or broth-based soups are warm, soothing, and easy to swallow.
Pureed Beans
The good thing about pureed beans is that they are full of protein and easy to eat.
Tapioca
You can try tapioca pudding as it is gentle on your mouth and gums.
Tea
Drinking warm tea can be soothing and reduce discomfort after dental surgery.
What can I eat after tooth extraction? Well, now you have a whole list of foods to eat after tooth extraction or oral surgery.
Foods To Avoid After Tooth Extraction
In the previous section, we covered 50 soft foods after tooth extraction. Now, let's focus on things to avoid after tooth extraction.
Tomatoes in Any Form
Whether fresh, cooked, or in sauces, tomatoes are highly acidic and can cause immediate pain or burning in your mouth after dental surgery. The acidity can irritate the sensitive tissues in your oral cavity, making it harder for your surgical site to heal properly. Therefore, it is best to avoid tomatoes until your mouth has fully recovered.
Orange Juice
It would help if you were careful with orange juice or other acidic juices like grapefruit or lemon juice. The high acidity in these beverages can lead to a burning sensation in your mouth, especially around the surgery site. This irritation can prolong the healing process and increase discomfort.
Spicy Foods
Eating spicy foods after dental surgery can lead to pain and discomfort. Spices can irritate the surgical site, causing inflammation and a burning sensation, making your recovery more uncomfortable. It's best to avoid spicy foods until your mouth has fully healed to prevent unnecessary pain.
Crunchy or Tough-to-Chew Foods
Foods that are crunchy or require a lot of chewing can interfere with blood clotting and disrupt the healing process. Chips, nuts, and hard vegetables are foods to avoid as they can cause the clot at the extraction site to dislodge, leading to a painful condition known as dry socket. It would help if you opted for soft, easy-to-chew foods to promote better healing.
Hard Seeds
Your mouth will likely be sore after tooth extraction, so it's crucial to stick to soft foods. Hard seeds, such as those found in fruits like raspberries or in foods like bread with seeded crusts, can become lodged in the surgical site. This can cause significant discomfort and lead to infection if not promptly removed. Avoid any foods that contain hard seeds to ensure a smooth recovery.
Popcorn
Just like hard seeds, popcorn should be avoided. Popcorn kernels and hulls can quickly become stuck in the tooth socket where your tooth was removed. These small pieces can be difficult to dislodge and may cause pain or infection, complicating the healing process. It would help if you stuck to soft snacks to avoid these risks.
Over-the-Counter Mouth Rinse
It's not just food that can cause issues after dental surgery. Over-the-counter mouth rinses, especially those containing alcohol, should be avoided. Alcohol can dry out and irritate the tissues in your mouth, interfering with the healing process and causing additional pain. Use a dentist-recommended, alcohol-free mouth rinse if necessary, and follow your dentist's instructions for proper oral care post-surgery.
Dos And Don'ts After Tooth Extraction
Here are some dos and don'ts you must remember.
Dos:
- Follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's instructions
- Rest and avoid performing strenuous activities
- Drink plenty of water
- Take only prescribed medications
- Use pillows to prop yourself up when sleeping
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Maintain oral hygiene
- Eat soft foods
- Attend follow-up appointments
Don'ts:
- Avoid touching the extraction site
- Avoid vigorous rinsing
- Avoid hot foods and beverages
- Don't use straws
- Don't smoke
- Avoid intense physical activities or heavy lifting
- Stay away from hard-to-chew foods
- Limit alcohol intake
- Avoid aspirin
Final Words
Recovering from tooth extraction can be challenging, but choosing the right foods can make the process smoother and more comfortable. Now that you are familiar with 50 soft foods after tooth extraction, you can plan accordingly. Also, make sure to consult your dentist if you face any problems after the procedure.
FAQ’s
What to make for dinner after tooth extraction?
After tooth extraction, you can make mashed potatoes, soups, scrambled eggs, or other soft food items for dinner.
What are some excellent soft foods to eat after dental surgery?
Some soft foods after dental surgery include pureed or cream soups, oatmeal, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, and yogurt.
What foods help heal after tooth extraction?
Foods like soaked bread, rice, mashed veggies, and soft fruits help heal after tooth extraction.
Can I eat rice after tooth extraction?
Yes, you can eat soft, boiled rice after tooth extraction.
Can I eat Maggi after tooth extraction?
Yes, you can eat Maggi after your tooth removal surgery.
Can I eat rice after filling?
It is advised to avoid eating rice for the first 24 hours after tooth filling.