After a tooth extraction, it's essential to allow your mouth time to heal properly to minimize the risk of complications like infection or dislodging the blood clot that forms in the socket. Here's a general guideline:
Immediate Aftercare: For the first few hours after the extraction, avoid eating or drinking anything. Let the blood clot form in the socket.
First 24 Hours: Stick to clear liquids like water, broth, or clear fruit juices. Avoid hot liquids as they can dissolve the blood clot and cause bleeding. Also, avoid using a straw as the suction can dislodge the blood clot.
Soft Foods: After the first day, you can start incorporating soft foods into your diet. Examples include mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, scrambled eggs, and soup. Chew on the opposite side of the extraction site.
Avoid Hard, Crunchy, or Chewy Foods: These can irritate the extraction site or get stuck, potentially causing discomfort or disrupting the healing process.