Tooth Extraction Aftercare: All You Need to Know
Not all people are big fans of going to the dentist. Sometimes, visits can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential to remember that good dental care is imperative. One of the things that make us uncomfortable to even think about is tooth removal. No matter how scary it may seem, tooth removal is pain-free because it’s done under anesthesia. Removal can be necessary for many reasons, including tooth decay, impacted wisdom tooth, crowding, etc. In case of impaction, expect your orthodontist to perform wisdom teeth surgery.
Once you’ve bravely gone through any kind of tooth removal, you need to think about dental extraction aftercare. Tooth extraction healing time will depend on how you take care of the extraction site. There are some guidelines you should follow, and they’re quite simple.
All you need to do is follow your orthodontist’s instructions closely. However, sometimes those instructions can be vague. That’s why we’re going in-depth in explaining what needs to be done so that you don’t make any mistakes during different tooth extraction healing stages.
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Tooth Extraction Aftercare Guide: Tips and Tricks
The healing process begins as soon as the dentist extracts your tooth. Your orthodontist will prescribe you some pain medication and give you instructions. Those instructions include eating soft foods, using an ice pack for swelling, biting down on the gauze pad, etc. Since all of that can be pretty vague or general, and not everyone is going to ask questions, let’s explain these aftercare tips in more detail:
- Biting down on the gauze pad for 30 minutes after the extraction helps absorb and stop the bleeding.
- Swelling is completely normal, and while chipmunk cheeks are adorable, you don’t want to let them get out of hand. Apply an ice pack for ten minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Don’t expect it to go down immediately. It will take several days.
- Relax and limit activity in the first 24 hours.
- Do NOT drink from a straw or rinse your mouth. A blood clot forms in your tooth socket, and it’s imperative not to dislodge it. If that happens, it’s not a big deal, but it will slow down the healing process.
- Brush your teeth and floss as usual, but avoid the extraction site as best as you can. Keeping up with your dental hygiene is especially important during the healing process.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Smoking will slow down the healing, and alcohol won’t mix well with pain medication.
- Eat soft foods like yogurt, ice cream, jello, etc.
The same rules apply to wisdom tooth extraction aftercare. However, you want to be even more careful if you have stitches after surgery. Go back to your dentist’s office for a check-up and to remove the stitches or ensure the healing process went as it should have.
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When to Go Back to Your Dentist
Unfortunately, the healing process won’t go smoothly for everyone. While it’s normal to experience minor bleeding, swelling, and pain, there can be complications. Not everything is a cause for concern, but you should contact or visit your dentist if you:
- Have a fever or chills, which are a sign of infection
- Experience vomiting or general nausea
- Notice excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge from the extraction site
- Start having chest pains, shortness of breath, or unusual coughing
Additionally, tooth extraction can sometimes make your teeth move, causing misalignment. In that case, your dentist will recommend several options, including implants. It’s also normal to be unable to open your mouth fully for up to a week after extraction. If that feeling and tightness persist even after one week, be sure to talk to your dentist.
