When you walk out of the dentist’s office after cleaning your teeth, and your stomach starts to growl, what is the first thing you grab? You can eat whatever you like, provided all local anesthetic has worn off. But some of that sensitivity and discomfort might stick around, so it’s good to steer clear of certain foods as your teeth and gums heal. Read on to discover What Not to Eat After Teeth Cleaning and what you can eat.
Sticky or Chewy Food
Do not consume tough foods after dental cleanings, such as caramel, taffy, nougat, gummy bears, beef jerky, trail mix, raisins, granola bars , and similar foods. This food is more likely to become lodged in your gums or between your teeth and irritate your mouth.
These sticky foods can also tug on your teeth. This places excessive, unnecessary stress on a case that was already strained.
Spicy Food
You may hear those spicy hot wings calling your name, but you should steer clear of spicy foods for at least 48 hours after deep cleaning. Spicy foods hurt healthy mouths, so exposing your healing gums is not good. It could even make the problem worse and exacerbate the soreness.
Acidic or Sour Food
Following deep teeth cleaning, your teeth are at high risk of the effects of acidic foods that soften your enamel. Therefore, avoid anything sour or acidic in the first few days post-cleaning.
This applies to tomatoes, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, pickles, strawberries, pineapple, kiwis and grapes. Avoiding acidic beverages such as coffee, tea, wine, and soda is also best.
Oversized Food
You need to give your whole jaw, not just your teeth, some time to rest and heal after professional teeth cleaning. That means steering clear of meal-size foods you must bite and chew through, such as big sandwiches, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and whole apples. Instead, opt for smaller foods or dice up bigger ones to take the pressure off your jaw.
Very Hot or Very Cold Food
It’s best to avoid very hot and icy foods and beverages while your teeth are fresh from a professional cleaning, as they can sometimes severely increase sensitivity. This means avoiding frozen water-based foods such as ice cream, Popsicles, and frozen fruit.
Also, refrain from hot soups, stews, and hot drinks until any leftover sensitivity has diminished. That way, there’s no outdoor temperature to get you wincing.
Sharp Food
Snacking tends to be sharp and crunchy — not great for your teeth. Foods like chips, popcorn, tortilla chips, nuts, pretzels, and crackers could be too sharp for your tender gums to handle directly after professional teeth cleaning. As a rule of thumb, if it snaps or breaks whenever you try to pick it up with your fingers, don’t eat it for at least two days after you get your teeth cleaned.
Highly Pigmented Food
After you have professionally cleaned for a few weeks, your teeth are at a higher risk of picking up stains and becoming discolored. You want to avoid hyper-pigmented foods like beets, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, soy sauce, and dark chocolate. Dark food items with high-intensity colors: Some foods are in dark shades and can come through the tooth’s surface and cause discoloration.
What Do You Eat After a Professional Teeth Cleaning, Anyway?
And with such a long list of things you’re supposed to avoid, you might wonder if there’s anything left to eat. But there are many foods that you can still eat after a professional teeth cleaning. You’ll want to stick to easy-to-chew, soft foods , including:
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Pasta
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Rice
- Cooled soups
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Smoothies
- Soft sauteed vegetables
As your teeth heal, you can slowly add your favorite foods as quickly or as slowly as you would like. Ultimately, it is your body, not mine, as to what you can and can not tolerate after a deep dental cleaning.
Book Now for Your Next Teeth Cleaning Professional Determined to keep you pain and decay-free!
Regular visit dental cleaning is super important to a better oral host. It not only uncovers a happier, healthier smile; it also provides your dentist with the chance to detect any dental problems you may be experiencing. At Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists, we provide deep cleaning to keep you transparent and responsible for your oral health.
If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned professionally in the past six months, don’t put it off any longer. Call us today to schedule your teeth cleaning appointment with Henderson Dentalcare.
