After tooth extraction, it is important to take care of your mouth properly to ensure proper healing. Here are some tips on how to care for your mouth after tooth extraction:
Brush Your Teeth and Gum Regularly
Brushing your teeth and gum regularly to remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth is important. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to avoid irritating your gums.
Rinse Your Mouth Regularly
Rinse your mouth with warm water or salt water several times a day to help keep your mouth clean and free of bacteria.
Avoid Straws and Smoking
Avoid drinking from a straw and smoking cigarettes, as they can irritate your gums and delay healing.
Take Pain Medication
If you are experiencing pain, take pain medication as prescribed by your dentist.
Do Not Chew on That Side
It is important to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where you have had surgery. Chewing on that side can cause the blood clot to come out, which can cause a lot of pain and bleeding.
What to Avoid Eating After an Extraction
For the first 24 hours after your extraction, you should avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods. Eating hard foods can dislodge blood clot, which can cause a lot of pain and bleeding. Eating chewy and sticky foods can stick to the empty socket and cause a lot of pain. You should eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow.
The Signs That You are Healing Properly Following Tooth Extraction
The signs that you are healing properly following tooth extraction include:
- The pain from the extraction has decreased or gone away completely
- There is no redness, swelling, or bruising around the extraction site
- There is no pus or drainage from the extraction site
- The socket is healed and there is no pain when you press on it
- You are able to bite down on objects and chew normally
If you experience any of the following signs of healing improperly, please seek medical attention:
- The pain from the extraction has increased or is still present
- There is redness, swelling, or bruising around the extraction site
- Pus or drainage from the extraction site
- The socket is not healed and there is still pain when you press on it.
The Risks Associated With Tooth Extraction
There are some risks associated with tooth extraction. These include:
- A dry socket, which is when the bone is exposed after the extraction
- Damage to your teeth or gums
- Damage to your sinuses
- Infection
- Nerve damage
What Happens After a Tooth Extraction?
After the procedure, your dentist will put a gauze pad over the extraction site. You will be told to bite on the gauze to stop the bleeding. It is normal for some bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours. If you have pain, your dentist can prescribe pain medication for you.
Your dentist will also provide you with some aftercare instructions. These may include:
- Not smoking
- Not drinking from a straw
- Not drinking alcohol
- Not eating hard, crunchy, or chewy foods
- Not brushing near the extraction site
- Rinsing your mouth with saltwater
- Keeping your head elevated
The Bottomline
Following these simple tips will help you minimize the risk of infection after tooth extraction. However, if you experience any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever, be sure to consult your dentist immediately.
If you need dental extraction in Pickering, we’re here for you. Pickering Dental Services know how to provide the best in preventative dental care for you. Get in touch with us.
