So you’ve just had a tooth pulled out and now you’re sitting there, jaw throbbing, wondering what on earth you’re supposed to eat for the next week. Trust me, I’ve been there, and let me tell you – the struggle is REAL. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to survive on just soup and ice cream (although, let’s be honest, ice cream is a solid choice).
I’ve put together this mega list of 50 soft foods that’ll keep you fed, happy, and actually satisfied while your mouth heals. Some are obvious, some might surprise you, but all of them are mouth-friendly and won’t make you want to cry when you eat them.
Cold & Creamy Delights
1. Ice Cream
Obviously! This is your golden ticket for the first 24 hours. The cold helps with swelling and honestly, who’s complaining about doctor’s orders to eat ice cream? Go for smooth flavors though – chunky monkey might sound good but those nuts are your enemy right now.
2. Yogurt
Plain, flavored, Greek – take your pick! It’s packed with protein and probiotics which actually help with healing. Just avoid anything with granola or fruit chunks mixed in.
3. Smoothies
Blend up whatever you fancy! Throw in some frozen berries, banana, spinach if you’re feeling healthy, or just go wild with chocolate and peanut butter. Pro tip: NO STRAWS. Seriously, the sucking motion can cause dry socket and that’s something you absolutely want to avoid.
4. Milkshakes
Because sometimes smoothies are too healthy and you just need something ridiculously indulgent. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry – go nuts. Again, spoon it, don’t slurp it through a straw.
5. Pudding
Chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, or that weird banana one your gran loves – pudding is soft food heaven. It’s smooth, it’s sweet, and it requires literally zero chewing.
6. Jello
Wobbly, fun, and comes in every color of the rainbow. It’s basically flavored water in solid form, so hydration plus food. Winner!
7. Custard
Creamy, dreamy, and feels fancy even when you’re eating it in your pajamas at 2pm because your face hurts.
8. Mousse
Chocolate mousse is where it’s at. Light, airy, and melts in your mouth. Feels like a treat even though you’re basically an invalid.
Breakfast Champions
9. Oatmeal
Make it extra mushy and let it cool down to lukewarm. Hot food is NOT your friend right now. Add some honey or mashed banana for flavor.
10. Cream of Wheat
Your grandma was onto something with this one. It’s basically liquid comfort in a bowl.
11. Scrambled Eggs
Soft, fluffy, protein-packed scrambled eggs are your best mate. Make them extra creamy with a bit of milk or butter.
12. Poached Eggs
If you can be bothered, poached eggs are divine. That runny yolk? Chef’s kiss. Just let them cool down first.
13. Mashed Banana
Dead simple. Mash it up, maybe drizzle some honey on top, and you’ve got a meal. Or just eat it straight – no judgment here.
14. Applesauce
The unsweetened kind is best, but honestly, after tooth extraction, treat yourself to whichever version makes you happy.
15. Pancakes (soaked in syrup)
Hear me out – make thin pancakes and drown them in syrup or butter so they’re super soft and easy to mush around your mouth.
Soups & Broths
16. Chicken Soup
The classic sick person food, and for good reason! Just make sure there are no chunky vegetables or that the chicken is shredded really fine.
17. Tomato Soup
Creamy tomato soup is gorgeous. Pair it with some really soft bread and you’re living your best invalid life.
18. Butternut Squash Soup
Smooth, slightly sweet, and feels like a warm hug for your sad mouth.
19. Cream of Mushroom
Earthy and comforting. Make sure it’s blended smooth though.
20. Potato and Leek Soup
Velvety smooth and surprisingly filling.
21. Bone Broth
If you’re feeling all health-conscious, bone broth is packed with nutrients that help healing. Plus it’s basically fancy soup.
22. Miso Soup
Light, salty, and easy to sip. Just let it cool down properly – burnt mouth plus extraction site is a combo you don’t want.
Mashed & Pureed Mains
23. Mashed Potatoes
The MVP of soft foods! Make them extra creamy with butter, milk, and maybe some cream cheese. This is not the time to be healthy.
24. Mashed Sweet Potato
Like regular mashed potatoes but with a sweet twist and bonus vitamins.
25. Refried Beans
Smooth, protein-rich, and surprisingly satisfying. Top with some sour cream if you’re fancy.
26. Hummus
Creamy chickpea goodness. Eat it with super soft pita or just with a spoon. No shame.
27. Mashed Avocado
Basically guacamole without the chunky bits. Rich, creamy, and full of good fats.
28. Polenta
Creamy Italian cornmeal that’s soft, mild, and fills you up nicely.
29. Risotto
If someone’s willing to stand at the stove stirring for you, creamy risotto is absolutely gorgeous. Mushroom risotto especially.
30. Shepherd’s Pie (the mash part)
The mashed potato topping is fair game. The meat filling needs to be really fine though, so maybe give this one a few days.
Protein Power
31. Cottage Cheese
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s protein-packed and super soft. Mix it with some mashed fruit if the texture weirds you out.
32. Ricotta Cheese
Creamier than cottage cheese and absolutely lovely. You can sweeten it or keep it savory.
33. Soft Tofu
Silken tofu is your friend here. You can blend it into smoothies or eat it plain with some soy sauce.
34. Tuna (mashed)
Mix it with mayo until it’s really smooth and creamy. No chunks allowed.
35. Soft Fish
Think salmon or cod that flakes apart easily. Poached or baked until it’s super tender.
36. Ground Meat (very fine)
If you’re desperate for some meat, super finely ground beef or turkey works. Just make it saucy and soft.
Pasta & Carbs
37. Mac and Cheese
Comfort food at its finest! The softer and cheesier, the better. This is living.
38. Overcooked Pasta
Normally you’d want al dente, but right now, mush is good. Toss it in butter or a smooth sauce.
39. Lasagna (soft version)
If the pasta’s nice and soft and there are no hard bits, lasagna can work. Just take tiny bites.
40. Ramen (soft noodles)
Instant ramen cooked until it’s really soft. The broth is soothing too.
Treats & Snacks
41. Protein Shakes
If you’re struggling to get enough calories, protein shakes are your mate. Chocolate ones taste like dessert anyway.
42. Soft Cookies (dunked)
Dunk them in milk or tea until they’re basically falling apart. Digestives work great for this.
43. Cake (without frosting)
Super moist cake like carrot cake or pound cake. Skip anything with hard icing or nuts.
44. Cheesecake
Creamy, dreamy, and no chewing required. This might be the best part of tooth extraction recovery.
45. Panna Cotta
If you’ve got access to this Italian dessert, it’s absolutely perfect – smooth, creamy, and wobbles like fancy jello.
46. Tiramisu
The lady fingers are soft, the cream is dreamy, and you get a little caffeine boost. What’s not to love?
Drinks & Extras
47. Protein-Fortified Milk
For when you need extra calories but can’t face solid food.
48. Coconut Cream
Rich, creamy, and you can add it to smoothies or just eat it with a spoon.
49. Nut Butters (smooth)
Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter – as long as it’s completely smooth, you’re golden. Eat it off a spoon or mix into smoothies.
50. Baby Food
I know, I know – but hear me out! Baby food pouches are perfectly smooth, nutritious, and honestly some of the fruit ones taste pretty decent. Plus you can eat them cold and they’re portable. No judgment if you raid the baby aisle.
Top Tips for Recovery
Right, now that you’ve got your menu sorted, here are some things I learned the hard way:
Keep it cool or lukewarm – Hot food can irritate the extraction site and cause more bleeding. Not fun.
Avoid anything crunchy, chewy, or with seeds – You don’t want bits getting stuck in the socket. Trust me on this.
No straws, no smoking – The suction can cause dry socket, which is apparently excruciating. Just don’t.
Eat on the other side – If you had one tooth out, chew (or mush) your food on the opposite side of your mouth.
Stay hydrated – Drinking water helps with healing, just sip it gently.
Don’t skip meals – I know eating is annoying right now, but your body needs fuel to heal. Push through it.
Rinse gently after 24 hours – Salt water rinses help keep things clean, but wait a day and be super gentle.
The first few days are the worst, but by day three or four, you’ll start feeling loads better. By week two, you’ll probably be back to normal eating, though everyone heals at different rates.
And remember – this is temporary! In a few weeks, you’ll be chomping down on crisps and apples like nothing ever happened. Until then, embrace the soft food life and milk it for all the ice cream it’s worth.
Now if you’ll excuse me, writing this has made me fancy some mashed potatoes. Stay soft, friends