A tooth extraction isn’t the most enjoyable procedure to go through. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s not very enjoyable at all. So well done, you for getting through it…or good luck if you’re about to. After the procedure, you might feel inclined to treat yourself to something that is enjoyable, seeing as you’ve been oh so brave. Perhaps your immediate thoughts are to reach for your favorite chocolate bar. But hold on! Is that such a wise idea? Well, time to find out!
So, can I eat chocolate after tooth extraction? You can eat chocolate after a tooth extraction, but it’s very risky, and it’s better not to. You would have to eat the chocolate very carefully on one side of your mouth (the side opposite to the extraction and wound). Even then, the texture and high sugar content can create problems such as disrupting your wound’s healing, causing an infection, and/or causing further tooth damage.
For the most part, this is not such a great idea.
Even if you had the bright idea of sucking on chocolate and not needing to chew.
Let’s continue to explore why this is the case in the next few sections below.
Then we will look at what to do instead and some other alternatives in the meantime.
Contents
Should You Eat Chocolate After A Tooth Extraction?
If you want the wound left after the tooth extraction to heal quickly, then it’s best to avoid chocolate for a while. That being said, you can riskily eat chocolate after a tooth extraction by eating it in a very specific way.
So, you can…but you can’t. The decision is yours.
In a moment, we’ll talk about how and why you might be able to eat chocolate after a tooth extraction if you’re feeling daring.
But first, we’re going to talk about the reasons why you shouldn’t eat chocolate straight away.
Why It’s Not Ideal
Obviously, you’re going to be able to eat chocolate again one day.
But for now, straight after your tooth extraction, you probably should refrain from eating chocolate for a bit.
Here are the reasons why.
Texture
Now I know that chocolates come in a variety of different textures.
But generally, chocolates have textures that are very unsuitable for eating after a tooth extraction.
As you know, as a chocolate lover, the majority of chocolates are hard, chewy, and even sticky.
They require quite a lot of biting to break them down so they can be swallowed.
Chocolates with these kinds of textures are a big problem.
You’re going to have to stay away from these, which eliminates many of the popular chocolates on the market, sadly.
Why are they a problem?
Well, after a tooth extraction, your teeth are very sensitive.
So if you’re eating chocolates that put a lot of stress and tension on your teeth, that’s not a good idea for a start.
It leaves your teeth susceptible to further damage and decay.
But the biggest issue is if you chew these chocolates near where the wound is in your mouth.
After all, the tooth extraction has left you with a big wound in your gums that needs to heal.
Important healing tissues and clots in the wound could be dislodged due to the stress that is produced when you eat chocolate.
When this happens, your wound’s recovery time will be pushed back as it will need to reproduce those healing tissues and clots again.
In the worst-case scenario, this could even lead to a painful infection in the wound.
You also don’t want bits of chocolate getting stuck in your teeth right now.
And don’t say, ‘well, I’ll just clean them out’ because sure, you can give that a go.
But you might dislodge the healing tissues and clots in the wound whilst trying to clean the chocolate out!
Post-tooth-extraction, it’s all about keeping your mouth in a nice, safe and clean environment for the wound to heal.
High In Sugar
The other problem we have with chocolate is that it’s high in sugar. That’s what makes it taste so sweet.
Once you’ve had a tooth extracted, you need to eat a healthy and balanced diet that will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal the wound that your dentist has left in your gums.
Reality check! Sugar is not part of a healthy and balanced diet. In fact, sugar can lead to further dental problems.
As you know, your teeth are vulnerable after a tooth extraction because your mouth is healing.
So they are susceptible to further damage or tooth decay which can be inflicted by high amounts of sugar.
Now, that’s not all that sugar is guilty of. If you didn’t know already, sugar feeds bacteria.
Any sugar you put in your mouth, which is, of course, what you are doing when you eat a bar of chocolate, will only be helping any bacteria you have in your mouth to grow.
You can bet that they’ll be bacteria in your mouth when you’ve got a fresh, gaping wound in your gums.
When you eat chocolate that contains sugar, you are feeding the bacteria in your mouth, which could slow down the healing of your wound.
Because it’s not healthy, it’s not creating that perfect environment we need for your wound to heal.
How You Might Be Able To
So those were the reasons why you shouldn’t eat chocolate after a tooth extraction. Now it’s time to talk about how you might be able to if you’re very, very, very…and I mean very careful.
How do you do this? Well, you chew the chocolate on the opposite side of the mouth to the one where the wound is.
It will be tricky. Especially if you normally chew on the side of the mouth where the wound is. You’ll have to stay very focused as you keep your chewing on the safe side of the mouth.
Now, if you eat chocolate, then you’re going to need to clean your teeth. But you will have a predicament with that. Because if you clean your teeth like normal, then you might disturb the wound.
On the other hand, if you clean your teeth carefully but not thoroughly, then the sugar the chocolate leaves on your teeth could cause cavities if it’s left there.
Eating chocolate on one side of the mouth will not be as relaxed an activity as it normally is.
If you don’t fancy eating chocolate that carefully, but you still want to get your fix, try going for a chocolate drink instead.
That way, you won’t have to worry about chewing at all.
Just don’t drink it through a straw because this could dislodge the wound’s clot.
Of course, you will still need to carefully clean your teeth afterward.
How Long After A Tooth Extraction Can I Eat Chocolate?
It will vary, but on average, you can eat chocolate 1-2 weeks after tooth extraction. However, it may be longer or shorter for your individual case. It all depends on how quickly your wound heals.
A tooth extraction is a relatively big deal.
I mean, you’ve had a tooth hauled out of your mouth. You need to recover.
So you should only start thinking about eating chocolate once your wound has recovered.
On average, this takes 1 to 2 weeks.
If you keep disrupting and dislodging the wound, then this time will extend.
So let it be so it can fix itself.
So I would recommend that you don’t eat chocolate straight after a tooth extraction.
Even if you’re eating soft chocolates or chocolates that melt in your mouth, you can still suffer pain through irritation to your wound and gums.
It doesn’t want acid and sugar in there, remember?
You want to keep the clot in the wound full of blood.
Your dentist will give the exact figures for this as he will know your case best.
If you are going to ignore my advice and eat chocolate the same day you’ve had a tooth extraction, then at least wait for the anesthetic to wear off.
You might accidentally bite your lips and tongue, and that, well, that won’t be a trip to the dentist. That will be a trip to the emergency ward.
What Type Of Chocolate Is Best After A Tooth Extraction?
Chocolates that are low in sugar and very soft in texture are the best for eating after tooth extraction.
If you can’t resist, then please at least pick chocolates that pose the least risk of hindering your wound’s recovery.
These would be chocolates that are low in sugar for a start. There are plenty out there, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
You also want soft chocolates. Remember, if the chocolate you eat is too hard, then that’s a problem.
A lot of chocolates with added toppings and fillings are a problem as they are normally harder and have more of a risk of tooth damage.
Chocolates that aren’t sticky are good as well.
You want to be able to brush any chocolate off your teeth very easily so that you don’t disturb the wound.
Sticky chocolates will make brushing your teeth much harder.
What Should You Eat After A Tooth Extraction
After a tooth extraction, you need to eat soft liquid foods that are easy to eat and require little to no chewing. Low-sugar foods should also be targeted as your temporary post-tooth-extraction diet.
Your choices are narrowed, that’s for sure.
But look on the bright side. It won’t be for too long. This is only your temporary eating requirement right now.
As long as it’s soft, liquidy, and low in sugar, then you should be ok.
There are plenty of suitable foods out there.
Here’s a list to help you get started.
- Smoothies
- Cool Soups
- Pureed Foods
- Mashed Foods
- Scrambled Eggs
Other Foods You Will Want To Avoid After A Tooth Extraction
You will want to avoid foods that are hard, chewy, and/or high in sugar after you’ve had a tooth extraction. You’ll also want to avoid acidic foods too. Foods that will hinder your wound’s recovery are the problem.
Yes, I’m afraid you’re up against it here. It’s not just chocolate you need to avoid after your tooth extraction. If only it was that easy.
Follow the criteria when deciding if a food is suitable for you right now, and you should be ok.
To give you an idea of what you need to look out for, here is a list of some example foods to avoid after a tooth extraction.
- Hard Fruit & Veg
- Spicy Food
- Chewy Foods
- Acidic Foods
- Other Hard Foods
- Other Candy
Read more: Can I Eat Candy After Tooth Extraction?
Finally
Yep. It’s tough news to take, isn’t it?
Just know that it’s all for the greater good.
I would recommend laying off the chocolate until your wound has healed.
That way, you’ll have it fixed in no time, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the chocolate you want…within reason, of course.
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Hello, I’m Matthew, a candy expert and enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the candy industry. My passion for candy started at a very young age. Since then, I have worked in numerous, large candy stores, and have been fortunate enough to try out hundreds of brands of candies, different types and flavors. In addition to my work, I enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge with others, and decided to create Sugar Stand in order to do so. My mission is to make the world a sweeter place, one candy at a time.