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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go out to dinner after a tooth extraction?

44 replies

CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:17

I know the advice is soft food but if I am feeling okay, can I eat normally on the other side same day?

We're going to a seafood restaurant so I'm thinking moules frites should be manageable - small bites, on one side Confused but someone whose been there before might be able to tell me.

Gasping for a glass of wine but desperate to avoid dry socket Shock so I'm guessing that's out of the equation.

OP posts:
stitchinguru · 17/09/2022 13:18

In my experience, this will not be advisable or possible.

wasiwrongtoask · 17/09/2022 13:19

I went out for a Chinese banquet three hours after a tooth extraction and managed so I think it will be fine.

Nimo12 · 17/09/2022 13:20

I don't think so. No matter how careful you are, small bits of food will get stuck in the socket and may dislodge the clot.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 17/09/2022 13:21

Do whatever you can yo avoid a dry socket.

yonce · 17/09/2022 13:21

Don't do it! If any food gets lodged in the socket you could get a horrendous infection / dislodge the clot. They don't advise soft cool foods for no reason, dry socket is horrendous so I just wouldn't risk it.

abovedecknotbelow · 17/09/2022 13:22

Also wouldn't risk it - dry socket is fucking horrendous

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:22

But surely even soft foods can stuck in the socket that's what I don't understand? Even mash potatoes or scrambled eggs would easily get wedged in there

OP posts:
mountainsunsets · 17/09/2022 13:23

I wouldn't - as others have said, the last thing you want is an infection and/or dry socket.

maddy68 · 17/09/2022 13:24

It'll be fine. I had one out last week and did exactly that.

Fish will be fine

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 17/09/2022 13:24

I wouldn't spend all that money on something I'm not going to enjoy because of pain or worrying about compromising the wound. But if it's planned and can't be moved and several other people are going too, I'd go and just have soup.

Chips don't count as soft food IMO. DP broke a tooth on a chip once. (Don't ask me how. He has bloody inconvenient teeth.)

mountainsunsets · 17/09/2022 13:25

CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:22

But surely even soft foods can stuck in the socket that's what I don't understand? Even mash potatoes or scrambled eggs would easily get wedged in there

They don't recommend soft foods for shits and giggles - it's for a reason. You don't need to chew them, you just swallow and they're less likely to dislodge the clot and cause infection or injury to the surgery site.

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 17/09/2022 13:26

And don't drink anything using a straw. My dentist told me you can suck the clot right out of the hole 😂😱

Bumply · 17/09/2022 13:27

Something else to consider is

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:28

Sounds easier not to eat at all! Not really a fan of soup on the best of days.

The pain - I'm not worried about. I've had absolute raging crippling the pain from the tooth so the pain and bruising of extraction is like a tickle so I'm not worried about feeling shit from that just don't want another infection.

Might give it a miss then and stay on the gently sipping water diet.

OP posts:
Bumply · 17/09/2022 13:28

The injections left my jaw very stiff afterwards so I couldn't open my mouth as much to physically fit in much in the way of normal food

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 17/09/2022 13:29

DH is a smoker and decided he knew better than the dentist about how long he should wait after tooth extraction. He was not correct.

Canthinkofaname79 · 17/09/2022 13:30

Just following this because my daughter had 2 teeth out yesterday in preparation for braces. She's sticking to fish pie and ice cream!

AlisonDonut · 17/09/2022 13:30

Ive had two out. One I couldn't speak for hours and couldn't properly eat for a day whilst the other, I skipped halfway home, didn't even wait for my OH to get to the dentist to pick me up and was eating normal food an hour later. So it could go either way.

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:32

Mine is out now @AlisonDonut It was extracted first thing. The actual level of pain I'm feeling compared to pre-extraction is tiny. The relief is bloody incredible.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 17/09/2022 13:36

I doubt you will feel like going out for dinner, your face could be swollen, you will need to gently touch salt rinse after eating too keep the socket clean, aid healing and prevent infection. Good luck.

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:37

@Roselilly36 My face can't be anymore swollen than it was pre-extraction - honestly, it was severe! Not allowed to salt rinse for 24 hours.

OP posts:
starrynight21 · 17/09/2022 13:37

I had a tooth out a couple of years ago - lived on soup for a few days but I still got a dry socket which was terrible. Dentist said there must have been some tiny pieces in the soup which got caught in the socket. It's a no from me - too risky to go out to dinner !

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 17/09/2022 13:38

So @starrynight21 something basic like tomato soup would be better? We're on holiday which isn't helping the situation...

OP posts:
Pumpkinandgingerspice · 17/09/2022 13:39

If you want to get dry socket which is the most painful thing you'll ever experience then go for it.

mountainsunsets · 17/09/2022 13:48

Honestly, the last thing you want is dry socket, especially if you're on holiday.

It's only for a few days, then you can eat normally again.