From the Guidelines
After a tooth #19 extraction, you should initiate oral intake, including solid foods, within hours after surgery, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This approach is supported by the ESPEN Guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Surgery, which suggests that oral intake, including clear liquids, shall be initiated within hours after surgery in most patients, with a strong consensus and grade of recommendation A 1. Although the ERAS society recommendations suggest early oral intake within 24 hours for patients with preserved gastrointestinal function 1, the more recent study 1 takes precedence in guiding clinical decision-making. When eating, it is essential to:
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the extraction
- Avoid very hard, crunchy, spicy, or sticky foods that could disturb the extraction site
- Stay hydrated but avoid using straws for at least 72 hours to prevent dislodging the blood clot
- Monitor for signs of infection, such as increasing swelling, fever, or pus, and contact your dentist immediately if you experience severe pain, bleeding, or any concerning symptoms. It is crucial to prioritize the patient's comfort, safety, and nutritional needs while minimizing the risk of complications, such as dry socket or infection, to optimize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes.
From the Research
Post-Extraction Diet
When to eat solid food after tooth #19 extraction is not directly addressed in the provided studies. However, the studies focus on pain management and wound healing after tooth extraction.
Pain Management and Wound Healing
- The studies 2, 3, 4 suggest that ibuprofen is effective in managing pain after tooth extraction.
- A study 5 found that pre-operative administration of ibuprofen in children undergoing extraction reduced post-operative pain and anxiety.
- Another study 6 compared the effects of paracetamol and ibuprofen on wound healing and found no significant difference between the two groups.
Dietary Recommendations
There are no research papers provided to assist in answering the question of when to eat solid food after tooth #19 extraction. Typically, dental professionals recommend a soft food diet for a certain period after tooth extraction to allow the wound to heal properly. However, this information is not supported by the provided studies.