Tooth extraction may sound like a really small thing, but your mouth feels the absence loud and clear. Once the numbness wears off and the gauze is removed, a new question hits you harder than the pain: “When can I eat real food again?”
Timing is everything. You must allow your mouth to heal. If you eat food too early, you can experience issues such as slower healing or dry sockets. In the following guide, we’ll lead you through the time and method to return to your usual meals— without risking your recovery.
Why Avoid Eating Solid Food After Tooth Extraction?
Your mouth takes time to heal after a tooth has been extracted. There is a little opening where the tooth once existed. A blood clot develops in that space, and a protective barrier covers the area as your body heals it.
Solid food should not be consumed too early as that can upset the clot. Chewing may also press against the spot and lead to sensitivity or bleeding. Crunchy or hard food may even clog up the hole and result in infection.
That’s why it’s best to stick with soft, easy-to-swallow food for the first few days.
When Can I Eat After Tooth Extraction?
It is important to eat the correct way after your tooth extraction. If you eat too early or the wrong foods, you may delay healing—and even experience complications. [1]
Let's do it step by step.
First 24 Hours
Stay away from food for the first 24 hours. Your mouth continues to bleed a bit, and a clot is beginning to form in the spot where the tooth used to be. That clot is paramount to the healing process. [2]
Adhere to very soft or liquid foods such as:
- Cold soup or broth, but cold
- Mashed potatoes (cooled down)
- Smoothies (no straw!)
- Stay away from anything spicy, hot, or chewy.
Also, do not rinse the mouth or forcefully spit—this can interfere with the clot and prolong healing. Take water slowly, if possible, with a spoon or in small sips.
Days 2 to 7
If you feel better, you can gradually try a little thicker or more filling foods. But hold back from crunchy snacks for now! [3]
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft-cooked pasta
- Ripe bananas
- Oatmeal
- Well-cooked veggies
Still, steer clear of crunchy, sticky, or spicy food. And don’t forget—chew on the other side of your mouth to guard the healing area.
Day 7 and Beyond
By now, things should feel a bit better. You can begin eating more solid foods—but still nothing too hard, sticky, or crunchy.
Make sure to:
- Keep food away from the area of extraction
- Gently chew
- Obey the dentist's instructions.
Stop and return to softer foods if you experience pain or notice you are bleeding. Healing takes place at different rates for different people, so be sure to listen to your body.
Pro Tip: Chew on the Other Side
Whatever you eat, whenever possible, try to chew from the opposite side of the extraction. This reduces pressure or irritation in the healing area. And don't forget to hydrate!
Foods to Absolutely Avoid (For Now)
While your mouth heals, an excessive amount of some foods may be more damaging than helpful. Avoid:
- Crunchy snacks such as chips, popcorn, and toast
- Hard foods such as candies or nuts
- Sticky foods such as toffee or chewing gum
- Spicy or acidic foods
- Hot beverages such as tea or coffee during the initial few days
- Alcohol and anything containing alcohol, such as some mouthwashes
And, don't ever use a straw—the sucking can draw the blood clot out and delay healing.
So, When Can I Eat Solid Food After Tooth Extraction?
Most people can resume consuming soft solid foods in 3 to 7 days. However, that really varies based on how your mouth heals.
If the extraction is easy, you may be ready to eat soft foods by day 3 or 4. If the extraction is a difficult one, such as a wisdom tooth, you may need a week or more before you can eat anything solid.
Always consult your dentist first. And even when you begin to eat solids, chew slowly and carefully, and do not chew near the extraction area. Healing is a process, and you don’t need to hurry.
Can I Swallow My Saliva After Tooth Extraction?
Yes, you may swallow your saliva. It's completely normal and safe. You shouldn't spit, particularly in the first 24 hours. A dry socket, a painful condition, can occur when you spit, as the spitting can loosen the blood clot. [4]
You may notice that you have a little more saliva than normal afterward. That's okay. Simply try to swallow as you would normally. It keeps the area covered and allows the healing to continue.
When Can I Brush My Teeth with Toothpaste After an Extraction?
Brushing after a tooth extraction must be done with care. Avoid brushing the tooth extraction area during the first 24 hours. Let the healing process start by simply leaving the area alone.
Then you can brush your other teeth. However, be extremely gentle around the extraction site. Use a soft-bristled brush, and do without the toothpaste for the time being, since a few of the ingredients may irritate the wound.
Can I Drink Hot Beverages After Tooth Extraction?
It is best to avoid hot drinks for at least the first 24 to 48 hours after your extraction.
Tea, coffee, or soup may dissolve the developing blood clot in the socket. That clot is very important to healing. You can cause a painful condition called a dry socket if you lose it.
How Soon Can I Eat Ice Cream After Tooth Extraction?
Ice cream is fine after a few hours, as long as you don’t eat it when it's too cold or hard. A little cold ice cream even helps decrease swelling and calm a sore mouth. Only don’t do too much.
Select plain, smooth ice cream (no chunks, walnuts, or crunchy pieces). Pass on the cones, sprinkles, or anything crunchy. Even so, wait at least 24 hours to indulge in frozen desserts—particularly if your dentist recommended liquid only during the first 24 hours.
Can I Eat Rice 7 Days After Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Yes, in most situations, you can resume eating soft rice around a week after wisdom teeth extraction. At about day 7, your mouth should be healing nicely. However, you still want to opt for the soft, cooked rice that is easy to chew and won’t stick to the extraction point.
Why No Dairy After Tooth Extraction?
Staying away from dairy immediately after a tooth extraction is often a precaution to allow proper healing. Some of the dairy foods, such as milk and yogurt, have natural bacteria. These may cause infection or irritation of the extraction site while still new. [5]
Cold dairy items like ice cream might also cause discomfort, especially if the area is sensitive. In some cases, dairy may interfere with certain antibiotics or medications. That’s why it’s best to skip it for the first 24–48 hours, just to be safe.
How to Manage Pain While Eating?
It can be challenging to eat after a tooth extraction if the mouth is still sore. However, a few easy tips can assist you:
- Slowly eat and chew thoroughly. Utilize the unaffected side of your mouth.
- Stick with soft foods such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or oatmeal.
- Allow your food to cool a little bit—hot food can bother the healing area.
- Cut food into little pieces so that you don’t need to chew so much.
- Stay away from crunchy, spicy, or sour foods while you recover fully.
If you are experiencing pain even while consuming soft foods, you can use over-the-counter pain medication (such as ibuprofen) as recommended by your dentist.
The Bottom Line
Each mouth heals in its own time. Most people can return to eating soft solid foods 3 to 5 days following a routine extraction. If you had a surgical or wisdom tooth extraction, wait at least a week before introducing solids—and even then, start gradually.
Stick with soft, safe foods, steer clear of anything that might loosen the clot, and maintain a clean mouth. All in all, a little patience (and wise food choices) and you’ll be normal-eating in no time.
FAQs
When can you resume normal food after a tooth extraction?
You may resume the intake of soft foods after 24 hours. Resume your normal diet gradually within 7–10 days.
Is a little pain during chewing after tooth extraction normal?
Yes, some discomfort is to be expected. If the pain increases or persists, visit your dentist.
Is it okay if food touches the extraction site?
Avoid it whenever possible. A food particle stuck in the socket can cause infection. Gently rinse with salt water to clean the area.
When can you return to your normal diet after a tooth extraction?
Once you're comfortable and your dentist gives the all-clear, usually after a week. Start slowly and don’t try anything that's too hard or crunchy to begin with.
Reference
Lau, Beatrice Y, et al. “Dietary Strategies to Optimize Wound Healing after Periodontal and Dental Implant Surgery: An Evidence-Based Review.” The Open Dentistry Journal, vol. 7, no. 1, 5 Apr. 2013, pp. 36–46, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681034/, https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210601307010036.
Youngblood, Zack. “The Best Foods to Eat after Tooth Extraction (and Ones to Avoid).” GoodRx, 21 Apr. 2023, www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/what-to-eat-after-tooth-extraction. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Crichton-Stuart, Cathleen. “What Foods Can I Eat after Wisdom Tooth Extraction?” Medicalnewstoday.com, Medical News Today, 24 Mar. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321300. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
“Tooth Extraction after Care.” Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/tooth-extraction-after-care/.
Schiwa Seyedi Moghaddam, and Andreas Neff. “Avoidance of Milk and Dairy Products after Oral Surgery—Is Such a Recommendation Still Valid? A Cross-Sectional Study among German and International Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Dental Practitioners with Review of the Literature.” Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, vol. 26, no. 4, 25 Oct. 2021, pp. 563–573, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-021-01017-y. Accessed 19 May 2024.
