You might find you need to have a tooth extracted. During this procedure, the dentist removes a tooth from its socket. People undergo extractions every day, so there is nothing to worry about if the doctor recommends this step. However, you must care for the socket following the extraction to prevent complications. What should you do to smooth the recovery process? What things should you avoid?
Rest
Get plenty of rest following a scheduled or emergency dental extraction. Keep physical activity to a minimum for 24 hours following the procedure. If you do too much, the blood clot at the extraction site might break loose. This results in dry socket, which is very painful.
Allow the Anesthesia to Wear Off
Anesthesia prevents you from feeling pain during the extraction process. However, this means you will not feel pain until it wears off. It’s easy to burn the mouth because you can’t feel anything. Don’t bite the inside of the cheek either.
Bite on Gauze
When the dentist extracts the tooth, they put gauze on the socket. Bite down on this gauze to help a blood clot form. This clot promotes healing. Change the gauze out as directed by the dentist.
Ice
Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the site to minimize swelling and discomfort. Do this for the first 24 hours or longer if the dentist recommends you do so. Keep the head elevated, as this also helps to minimize swelling. Put a towel on the pillow in case you bleed or the ice melts and water leaks out of the pack.
Diet
Stay hydrated following the extraction to help the healing process. Avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy foods because they can irritate the extraction site. Eat soft foods like ice cream, smoothies, milkshakes, soups, and yogurt.
Medications
The dentist will often prescribe antibiotics and pain medication following a tooth extraction. Medications help you keep the pain under control while working to prevent an infection. Take these medications exactly as prescribed and continue taking the antibiotics until they are gone.
Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss as normal but avoid the extraction site when doing so. After the first 24 hours, you may brush around the extraction site. Wait 24 hours before gently rinsing the mouth with warm salt water. Doing so keeps the extraction site clean and promotes healing.
Avoid Tobacco
Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products. They may delay the healing process while increasing your risk of dry socket or an infection.
Don’t Use Straws
Avoid drinking through a straw. Although this may seem to be the easiest way to drink when the mouth is numb, it comes with its own set of problems. The sucking motion can dislodge the blood clot at the incision site. When this happens, complications become more likely.
No Alcohol or Carbonated Beverages
Alcohol and carbonated beverages may irritate the extraction site. This can lead to prolonged bleeding. Drink water to reduce the risk of complications.
Avoid Spitting
Do not spit or rinse vigorously for at least 24 hours following the procedure, longer is possible. Doing so could knock the blood clot loose. When it comes loose, the site takes longer to heal.
Always follow all instructions provided by the dentist. They are familiar with your mouth and know how the procedure went. They may have other recommendations for you to follow. If you experience concerning symptoms, contact your dentist immediately. They must determine what is going on and how best to address any problems.
