How a protein-rich diet can facilitate recovery after tooth extraction
Posted on: 30 April 2018
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Tooth extractions are important dental procedures that remove damaged or infected teeth from the mouth. In some cases, the tooth will need to be removed to avoid spreading an infection to the rest of the mouth, preventing the overcrowding of teeth, or preparing the mouth for braces and dentures. Anytime you undergo a tooth extraction, you essentially end up with an open wound. This is because the tooth is removed from its socket and the gums end up with an opening that needs some time to heal.
In order to facilitate the healing process, you need to give your body a boost by consuming the right foods. In particular, proteins can help the mouth to heal by providing essential building blocks (amino acids) to the mouth region. Proteins also help to boost the immune system and result in the formation of a healthy blood clot around the wounded region. Read along to take a deeper look into how a protein diet can assist the mouth to heal.
Proteins assist in the growth of new teeth and bones
A protein diet provides the body with essential chemicals that are used to manufacturer new bones and teeth. In particular, proteins contain essential amino acids that are used to manufacture connective tissues, nerve endings, and enamel.
Nerve endings combine with other connective tissues to promote healthier gums and to transmit signals to the brain. When the teeth bite into very cold, hot, or sharp foods, the nerves will transmit signals of pain to the brain in order to protect the teeth from getting damaged.
Proteins boost the immune system
When you undergo a tooth extraction, the region near the wound becomes vulnerable to infection by bacteria and other external elements. To strengthen the mouth region against such infections, a protein-rich diet can boost the immune system. Proteins are used to produce more white blood cells, whose primary purpose is to protect the body against foreign elements.
Proteins also produce more red blood cells that increase blood circulation to the mouth region and allow for more nutrients to be provided to the wounded site. These nutrients facilitate the formation of a blood clot at the extracted region so that the gums can heal faster.
Proteins strengthen the current teeth and jawbone
In addition to the wounded site healing, the neighbouring teeth and jaw also need to be healthy to facilitate a full recovery. A protein-rich diet provides the body with phosphorus that can be combined with calcium to produce stronger teeth and jaws.
To ensure you're consuming enough proteins for the mouth to heal, eat foods such as lean beef, eggs, chicken, and turkey. Other foods such as beans and leafy greens are also healthy protein-rich choices.