Can I eat this after a tooth removal?

[hockeyaddict]

I had a molar removed yesterday and I was wondering if anyone knew when I could stop the soft food diet. I have grape tomatoes which I really want to eat but I'm not sure because of the acid level. Does anyone know if it is OK to eat that yet?

[Warren]

No, you should avoid acidic or spicy foods.

The main danger is what's known as "dry socket", which is when the tissue that has formed over the extraction site is removed and the nerve is exposed. For this reason they suggest you avoid chewing harder foods, any food that might compromise the clot or stiches, sucking or blowing (come on people, get your minds out of gutter! xD).

The first is obvious, food can dislodge the covering. The last two change the pressure inside your mouth and can pull off anything that is not tightly attached -- just think about how you might purse your lips and suck (without inhaling air) to get a piece of food from between your teeth. Same principle, except.. this 'piece' is a cloth and it's covering a nerve.

The middle bit refers to acidic or spicy foods. The tissue covering the nerve (the clot) is not built to withstand a lot of abuse, and the stitches used to close up a wound are soluble -- they're meant to dissolve over time and either be pulled out or swallowed. When you eat spicy or acidic foods you're increasing the chance that the clot or stitches will be prematurely removed. This is bad for you. Benzoic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, carbonic acid, etc. Avoid them if you can.

[Effect]

When I had my wisdom teeth pulled out, all I could eat was mashed potatoes, ice cream, and protein shakes. Did your cheeks swell up yet? I looked like a chipmunk ()-.-()

[samhradh_ean]

If you want to know for sure, you should ask your dentist or doctor. My guess is that tomatoes don't count as completely soft foods, since you have to give them a fair amount of chewing. Then there's also the acidity like you mentioned. You could probably get away with just trying it and seeing how it goes, but it's at your own risk.

[babyblue16]

I think you should be fine. I had my 2 wisdom teeth removed on my left side Thursday and I ate soft foods for the first day. After 24 hours I started eating soft foods that I could chew on the other side. I haven't had any soda or anything with acid in it though. But I think as long as you rinse with salt water you should be fine.

[justlilly]

You can try it. I don't think it would hurt anything to try. Years ago I had a molar and all four wisdom teeth taken out at once and I had to stay on the soft food diet for a week but it is probably different since you only had one tooth removed.

[rachiee]

You really should ask your doctor. I'd wait a few days just to be sure since you did just get it yesterday. Maybe you can take the skin off of the tomatoes and try to eat them that way.

[truckjunkie]

Ive ate mexican food and really acidic food and drinks the day after I've had a tooth removal abd I was as long as I washed out the tooth socket afterwards.

[Anonymous]

I work for a dentist office for children and typically after we remove teeth, we tell them 24 hours for a soft diet, then you should be fine

[MrReal]

Don't risk it, just keep waiting until the socket heals.