What’s the guide to tooth extraction aftercare?

1. Why does a dentist pull your tooth out?
2. What happens when your tooth has been removed?
3. Tips for tooth extraction aftercare

When people hear about tooth extraction, they recall how painful it is to have their tooth completely extracted from its socket. It is a dental procedure performed when a tooth is damaged and cannot be repaired, resulting in removal.

Tooth extraction can be a difficult experience for some people — especially the aftermath. Thankfully, dental care is becoming more advanced, accessible, and affordable. More people are also learning about tooth extraction aftercare, and why it is important.

This blog covers everything you need to know about tooth extraction aftercare. Following these steps will help you take care of your mouth, and feel better and heal faster after your procedure.

Why does a dentist pull your tooth out?

There are five common reasons why a dentist decides to extract your tooth if it can no longer be saved or repaired: gum disease, severe tooth decay, gum abscess, crowded teeth affecting your jaw, and crowded teeth that limit the result of orthodontic braces

What happens when your tooth has been removed?

This is the point at which we want to ensure that our patients are not afraid of having their teeth extracted.

Anesthesia is administered before the procedure, which causes your gums to go numb. This prevents any significant sensations while we extract the tooth. You may feel pressure in your mouth, but we guarantee you will not experience any pain during the procedure.

After we extract your tooth, we will ask you to lightly bite down on a piece of cotton to aid in the formation of a blood clot, which will help in the healing of your gums.

Tips for tooth extraction aftercare

There’s discomfort after a couple of hours of extraction, but this is normal. Take note that when you’ve had a tooth removed, the socket must heal to prevent any infections. Here are the tips:

Do’s:

1. Rinse your mouth with salted water — You can rinse your mouth with salted water 24 hours after your tooth extraction. Salt keeps bacteria at bay in your mouth. However, make sure to rinse gently so that the clot stays intact.
2. Take prescribed medicine by your dentist —This helps to alleviate the discomfort. Dentists advise against taking pain relievers while driving because they can make you drowsy. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist any questions after the tooth extraction. Here at Elevate Dental, we will gladly answer any questions you may have about tooth extraction aftercare.
3. Bite on the gauze firmly — Bite firmly on the gauze placed by your dentist to stop the bleeding. If you have a lot of bleeding, try biting on a tea bag, which helps in the formation of a blood clot. Bite the tea bag to avoid bleeding. It’s normal to have seeping blood on the first day, so don’t be worried.
4. Put an ice pack  — Swelling on your cheek is normal after tooth extraction. Apply an ice pack to your swollen cheek to ease the pain. Apply the ice pack to your cheek for 10 minutes, then take it off for 5 minutes.
5. Get some rest — If you’re working, make sure you schedule a tooth extraction on the day that you don’t have work for tomorrow. You need to limit activities for one day after the procedure. As much as possible, don’t sleep late, and try elevating your head slightly when lying down on your bed.

Don’ts:

1. Avoid touching the socket — We understand how tempting it is to poke the tooth extraction socket with your tongue or finger, but this allows bacteria to infect the socket, causing infection, which we want to avoid.
2. Don’t smoke — Smoking reduces blood flow to the extraction site, lengthening healing time and exposing you to infection.
3. Don’t drink alcohol — Drinking alcohol dries out your socket and keeps blood clots from forming. Fortunately, blood clots protect the nerves by preventing bacteria from forming.
4. Avoid using a straw — Never use a straw to drink water, juice, or soft drinks. Why? Because it causes pressure inside your mouth. This prevents blood clot formation
5. Don’t drink hot liquids — That is why dentists advise patients to drink cold beverages or eat ice cream after having a tooth extracted. Hot liquids could cause more bleeding by making your veins dilated. So, until it heals, it’s better to drink iced coffee than hot coffee in the morning! Instead, eat soft, healthy foods.

Key Takeaway

Tooth extraction protects your other teeth from infection caused by a damaged tooth. As a result, the extraction becomes more painful the next day. It is critical to consult with your dentist. However, before undergoing a tooth extraction, it is best to find a reputable dental clinic to extract your tooth.

At Elevate Dental, we are deeply committed to assisting our patients in achieving the best and most confident smiles possible. We use cutting-edge dental care technology to assess and help your teeth achieve optimal dental health. We make every effort to create a calm and stress-free environment in which you can receive quality dental care from experienced dentists. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, you can do so at our Greenhills and BGC locations.