Advanced caries, infection, traumatic injuries, tooth crowding can lead to tooth extraction.
The following recommendations after tooth extraction will help speed up recovery.
The procedure itself is practically imperceptible, because it is performed with anesthesia. However, when the drug stops working, the area may hurt. In order to heal it as soon as possible, you need proper care.
Get more rest
It is normal to feel less energetic than usual after tooth extraction. Intense physical activity can slow down the healing process. Therefore, it is best to avoid any strenuous activity for about 48 hours, as this can increase the pressure and cause the gums to bleed at the extraction site.
If you raise your head on a pillow, the blood will flow away from the removal site, which will reduce inflammation and allow the wound to heal faster. Give yourself time to rest. Watch your favorite movies or take a nap!
Use ice
Cold will minimize pain and reduce swelling. Apply ice packs for 15 minutes for the first 24-48 hours after the extraction.
Eat bland food
Soup, yogurt, and applesauce will be your best friends after a tooth extraction. Liquid and soft food should be consumed at least during the first 24-48 hours after the procedure.
It’s also important to consume enough calories, as this helps speed recovery and improves well-being. Solid foods can damage the extraction site, so try to avoid them for a week and slowly introduce them back into your diet. Most patients can return to their usual diet about 7-10 days after the tooth extraction procedure.
What to avoid
After a tooth extraction, it is best to avoid smoking as this can stop blood clotting around the extraction site. Hot liquids and alcohol are also not recommended, as they slow the healing process or may cause further damage to the extraction site.
When drinking, it is better not to use a straw. After the procedure, a blood clot forms around the removal site. It is important not to damage it, as this can lead to complications.
If the clot dislodges, you may experience more bleeding and pain.
If it hurts, take a pain reliever
When the anesthesia wears off, the place where the tooth was may start to hurt.
A pill or powder that you usually take for a headache will help reduce the discomfort. However, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and if in doubt, consult your dentist first.
Do not take aspirin because it thins the blood and can cause bleeding from the mouth. Asthma patients should avoid pain relief based on ibuprofen.
However, if the pain persists for several days, see your doctor again to prevent complications and infection.
Sometimes an infection can get into the hole, which can be very painful.
Take care of oral hygiene
After tooth extraction, do not cancel daily oral hygiene. Teeth can be brushed, just be careful and avoid the area where the tooth was removed.
To prevent infection, rinse your mouth with salt water 24 hours after the procedure and repeat several times a day.
Do not poke into the resulting gap with your tongue, finger, napkin or toothpick. This can delay healing, cause bleeding, and lead to dry socket (alveolitis). This is a complication after the removal of a tooth, more often a wisdom tooth, when the blood clot formed in the hole is lost or dissolved before the wound heals.
What to do if the hole is bleeding?
The first thing to remember is that there may be some bleeding during the first day.
Many people worry that there is a lot of blood. This is because a small amount of blood is mixed with more saliva, which looks more dramatic than it really is.
However, if the bleeding does not stop and continues, consult a doctor immediately.
Care after the removal of several teeth
Sometimes dental surgeons need to remove more than one tooth at a time. After the procedure, the dentist should give special instructions, such as how long you can not eat or drink after the extraction.
Caring for multiple cavities can be a challenge, especially if they are on different sides of the mouth. Dentists can provide guidance on these cases and invite you for a repeat visit.
Care after removal of wisdom teeth
As a rule, wisdom teeth are removed at a young age, and the body quickly recovers after the operation. However, the healing time after wisdom tooth extraction can still be much longer than after the extraction of a normal tooth. The operation usually involves the removal of several teeth, and the person may be sedated (medicated sleep) during the procedure.
In many cases, dentists may use other methods to promote healing after these operations, such as dissolvable sutures or blood clotting agents.
Care after wisdom tooth extraction is similar to care for other types of teeth, but your dentist can provide additional tips to help the wounds heal faster.
Tooth extraction is often necessary to avoid complications in the future. The main thing is to do it in a professional clinic, where specialists you trust work.
In most cases, wounds should heal within 7-10 days. However, if you continue to experience unpleasant symptoms after tooth extraction, you should contact your dentist.