Tooth extraction is a very common dental procedure. It involves a dentist pulling out a tooth either surgically or with an elevatorbecause of tooth infection, gum disease, trauma or overcrowded teeth. Depending on the method used to remove the tooth and how bad the damage was, the healing process can take 2 to 10 days. Unfortunately, tooth extraction leaves an empty socket with a wound which is vulnerable to germs and consequently an infection. So, how do you ensure you don’t get an infection following a tooth extraction? Here are some useful dental extraction after care tips from https://www.dentalspot.com.au/dentist-croydon that will guide you to it.
Here are the dos and don’ts;
Do’s
·Leave the gauze pad in place for at least three hours if you are not bleeding too much. This will keep the open wound closed until the blood clots.
·Take the prescribed painkillers to ensure your heartrate is normal and slow so the clot can form fast.
·Apply an ice bag on the affected side. Apart from keeping the area numb and painless, it will also keep the blood cold which is good for clotting.
·Rest enough for at least 24 hours after the extraction and sleep more if possible.
·Brush your teeth that night to keep bacteria away but avoid the extraction area.
·Rinse your mouth with salty water after 24 hours or more to get rid of any bacteria and the taste of blood.
Don’ts
·Do not spit, use a straw or rinse your mouth before 24 hours are over because the clotting process is not complete yet.
·Stop smoking
·Do not eat spicy, hot, crispy or hard foods for a few days.
·Do not take aspirin. While aspirin is a powerful painkiller, it’s also a blood thinner that will work against the process of
clotting.
·Do not poke the wound or touch it with your finger, toothbrush or tongue.
What to Eat
Following extraction, you should eat only soft and warm or cold foods like smoothies, yoghurt, ice-cream and mashed potatoes for the next few days until the wound is completely healed.
Conclusion
Despite the above dental extraction aftercare, you may still get an infection especially if your tooth was too infected. You will know you have an infection if the pain and swelling doesn’t go away in a few days. Seeing your doctor who will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics is necessary if this happens.
You can talk to Noosa’s trusted dental clinic, SmileWorkx, if you need professional help.