Aftercare Tips for Extraction
Posted by Main Street Dental Nov 06,2022
Tooth extraction is one of the most common dental procedures. The dentist may recommend tooth extraction for a number of reasons. For instance, the tooth may be too damaged to repair with restorative dentistry options. Or, the tooth may be impacted, which means the dentist cannot access the tooth without causing damage to the surrounding teeth. Tooth extraction is performed with local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the area around the tooth. The dentist may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce any swelling that may occur following the procedure.
Here are some aftercare tips for you:
- Proper oral hygiene is especially important after tooth extraction. Until the area heals completely, it’s essential to keep food particles from settling in the socket and causing infection or discomfort.
- Over-the-counter painkillers can help reduce pain and inflammation while you heal. To help keep your extraction site clean while it heals use salt water rinses throughout the day. You should notice swelling go down within a few days of surgery. However, it could take several months for your bone and gum tissue to heal completely. If medication hasn’t helped with recovery, be sure to contact your dentist as soon as possible for further treatment.
- The socket of the extracted tooth will be tender for a few days, but rinsing with salt water can help reduce pain and swelling. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and gently rinse out your mouth with the solution three times a day for the first few days. Rinsing your mouth can also help reduce bleeding and help the blood clot form more quickly.
- An ice pack or cold compress can be used to reduce swelling and pain as well. Apply it to the outside of your cheek for the first 24 to 48 hours. Be sure to remove it for at least 20 minutes at a time so the skin can breathe.
- Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen may be used to ease discomfort. Be sure to take any medication as directed on the packaging. Avoid using alcohol-based mouthwashes as they can increase bleeding. Also, avoid smoking, as it can slow the healing process.
- After the extraction, you will need to be gentler than usual when brushing your teeth to avoid irritating the soft tissue in the socket. You should also be careful what you eat, as chewing hard foods can cause painful irritation to the healing tissue. Try to stick to soft foods such as yogurt, pudding, applesauce, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and cottage cheese.
For the best dental care tailored to your unique needs, visit Main Street Dental at 3195 S Main St Ste 225, South Salt Lake, UT 84115, or call (801) 467-2255.