Congratulations! Your troublesome tooth has been extracted – or is soon to be extracted. A discomfort-free life is just around the corner; you have just one last hurdle to jump over: recovery. Tooth extraction recoveries aren’t any more involved than post-op care for your typical dental procedure, but it does mean going on a soft food diet.
Without the option of eating tough meat or crunchy veggies, some patients struggle to find foods that keep them full throughout the day. If you tend to have a Herculean appetite, especially when you’re resting, keep reading. Your stomach will appreciate these meal ideas!
Scrambled Eggs and Avocado
Eggs are a good source of protein, while avocados are high in fiber – both of which will help keep you full until your next meal. If you just cracked two eggs to scramble or scooped out avocado meat separately, that might not sustain a fast metabolism. So why not combine them? Add some salt and parsley, and your egg-avocado salad could make quite the tasty breakfast. Just go easy on the pepper; strong spices could irritate your treatment site.
A Well-Timed Protein Shake
The more protein you pack into your diet, the more satisfied you’re likely to feel during your tooth extraction recovery. Basically, this is exactly when you would want to blend up a protein shake! However, using a straw can be dangerous. The strenuous vacuum you make with your mouth could dislodge your blood clot, which would be painful and make you more vulnerable to infection. Best to drink straight from the glass, slowly and carefully.
Cozy, Brothy Soup
Since broth-based soups contain plenty of water, they can also help you feel full – which is great news because plenty of things taste great after soaking in bone, vegetable, beef, or chicken broth. Craving some carbs? Throw noodles in your pot. Need veggies? Celery and carrots will become nice and squishy for you. You might even be able to enjoy certain meats if the broth makes them tender enough!
Mushroom Stuffing
Bread is famous for expanding in your stomach, which makes it a perfect snack under normal circumstances. Tearing apart a breadstick could harm your treatment site, though. If only there were a form of bread that’s both soft and fits on a fork, right? Introducing stuffing: the bread that melts in your mouth. Cooking it with mushrooms, eggs, celery, sage, and chicken broth will keep it moist while providing some much-needed flavor.
If you were to narrow-down these recommendations, you might come to the conclusion that bulking up your soft-diet meals is a matter of finding tasty ways to combine protein, fiber, carbs, and liquids. You’d be right! The internet is an excellent source for meals that fit this description, and your dentist might have a good recipe or two as well. Use your resources, and you’ll be able to survive your tooth extraction recovery without feeling like you’re starving yourself.
About the Practice
Dr. Hannah Corcoran and Dr. Brandon Privitera both received their Doctor of Dental Surgery from The Ohio State University, and are proud members of the American Dental Association and Ohio Dental Association. They’re well-qualified to provide treatment for troublesome teeth, including tooth extraction. If you’d like more tips for your tooth extraction recovery, call their office at 740-835-4698.