How long after tooth extraction can you eat normally?

spinningsheep

Hi guys. I had an infected lower broken molar removed last Thursday, and I had the same procedure done the previous week on the same day for the same thing on the other side of my mouth (i know, lucky me!) I was PETRIFIED of the dentist, having not been in over 15 years due to a vile experience with my old NHS dentist, I was expecting the worst but I was in so much pain I couldn't function. Thankfully my dentist is excellent and I felt nothing, despite him saying one of the extractions was "a difficult one". All is fine on the one I had removed the week before, he cleaned it out last week and put some foul tasting gauze in it to avoid a dry socket as I seem to have a slight infection on the gum next to that now empty socket, the gum has become swollen to the extent I find it difficult to close my teeth in that area and there is a white blob on the gum, similar to the kind you get when you have tonsilitis, but it's definately not a tooth fragment or anything, and the 500mg Amoxicillin he's got me on seems to be bringing the swelling down, my latest extraction from last thursday is healing nicely, been extra careful not to dislodge the clot, been swilling with warm saline and corsodyl mouthwash, brushing teeth but keeping well away from the clot etc, but I have not dared risk solid food yet, as I am off on 17 days holiday to Cyprus on Friday this week, and I really do not want to have any complications on holiday and I want to be able to eat solid foods obviously. Just to ask if anyone else has had a similar experience or if any dentists are lurking who can offer any advice? I have a follow up check booked on Tuesday morning. Going crazy on soup!!

Toothsmith

I tell patients they can eat normally within a couple of hours. Even after quite tricky extractions.

Your dentist should have given you appropriate instructions for your case.

*Kat*

TBH, when i got my tooth taken out I didnt wanna eat for days haha, it wasn't sore or anything, it just didn't feel normal lol.

For me it takes a couple of days to eat hard foods, I like soft bread and soup or even pasta lol

McKneff

I usually eat normally next day.

spinningsheep

Phew cheers guys, think I may give a bit of fish in parsley sauce a go tonight! My dentist was great but he just said to wait until I felt comfortable, guess i'm just being over cautious!