You've just left the dentist's office after having a tooth extracted and can't help but notice those tempting little mints ahead of you at the reception desk. Before deciding to grab a few, you think to yourself: is it safe to have a mint after a tooth extraction? The answer is yes!
Not only do mints offer a helpful burst of sweetness, but they also contain key elements that can help reduce swelling and stop bleeding, and stimulate saliva flow -all of which will get you back to feeling like yourself much faster. Plus, with the extra benefit of fresh breath, you won't have to worry about bad odors, either.
Now that we’ve established that mints are safe after a tooth extraction, let's explore what other foods one can eat for some additional nutrition during the recovery period.
After your tooth extraction, it’s important that you give your body and mouth time to rest and heal. During this first day, stick with broths, soups, or soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow without irritating your gums. Foods like oatmeal or mashed potatoes are great options because they’re soft but still provide essential nutrients for healing. Avoid anything crunchy, spicy, acidic, or hot during this first-day post-surgery as these can cause a lot of discomfort for your delicate mouth tissue.
Once you've hit the 48-hour mark post-extraction, you may be able to start introducing a bit more variety into your diet. Soft fruits such as ripe bananas and applesauce are great options here as well as eggs, toast, and oatmeal. Just remember to stay away from any hard crusts or seeds that may irritate your mouth further.
By day three post-extraction, you should be able to start eating more solid foods that still don't require too much chewing such as mashed potatoes, soft rice, and pasta. You can also start incorporating softer fruits like peaches into your diet again at this point. Additionally, hummus is a great option as it doesn't require any chewing but provides lots of protein and healthy fats!
If everything seems to be healing properly by day seven post-extraction then you can slowly begin incorporating harder foods back into your diet again such as cooked vegetables and lean proteins like chicken breast or fish cooked without any crunchy coating or crusts.
Just take it slow - remember that it's still important to avoid anything hard during this time so try not to bite down directly onto food with sharp edges that could irritate the area where the extraction was done.
Are you in need of a tooth extraction? St. Clair Tooth Co. is the place to go for a successful tooth extraction. Our team of highly-trained professionals has access to the proper tools and techniques to ensure the procedure is pain-free and entirely safe. Plus, we don't just stop at sending you out the door - we also provide detailed advice on how to recover quickly with the right diet and adequate self-care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our St. Clair Shores dentist!
.png){kind=icon}
.png)