surrounding teeth hurt after tooth extraction

10 Tooth Extraction Aftercare Tips to Speed Healing and Reduce Pain

If you have just had a tooth extracted, you may be feeling a bit anxious about the aftercare process. Don’t worry – we are here to help! This blog post will discuss ten tooth extraction aftercare tips that will help speed healing and reduce pain after your dental procedure. Follow these tips closely, and you will be on your way to a quick and easy recovery! You can go to you local dental clinic if you need help after your tooth extraction procedure.

  • Cold compress the area
  • Control bleeding
  • Take medication as needed for pain relief
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Watch what you eat
  • Clean your teeth
  • Rinse your mouth
  • Rest
  • Avoid strenuous activities
  • See your dentist

 

 

What happens during a tooth extraction?

Dentists perform tooth extractions regularly, following the same procedure and method every single time. During the procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the afflicted tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Your dentist will gently loosen and carefully pull your tooth from its socket using specialized dental equipment.

Your dentist may need to create incisions to cut away the gum and bone tissue that covers the tooth so it is easier to access your tooth, particularly if it is highly decaying or has broken off at the gum line. The socket is cleaned and disinfected once the extracted tooth is out of the way. Your dentist may also insert a dental bone transplant in some circumstances to assist in preventing bone loss in your jaw.

Finally, sutures may be used to protect the open socket and aid healing.

Tooth extraction aftercare

If you’ve had a tooth pulled, it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for care. Here are ten tips to help you heal and reduce pain after your tooth extraction:

Cold compress the area

A cold compress can help reduce swelling and inflammation after your tooth extraction procedure. Place a cold, damp cloth or ice pack on the area around the extraction site for 10-15 minutes several times a day. You can also purchase a cold pack from your local pharmacy.

Control bleedingtooth extraction procedure

It is important to control any bleeding after your tooth extraction. Bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes to help staunch blood flow. Change the gauze pad as needed. You may also use a lip balm or petroleum jelly to help control bleeding.

Take medication as needed for pain relief.

You can expect to feel discomfort after tooth extractions. If you are experiencing moderate to severe pain, take your medication as prescribed. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to relieve pain and inflammation. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. Do not take more medication than is prescribed.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

Smoking and drinking alcohol can slow the healing process after your dental extraction. Abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol as much as possible while healing.

Watch what you eat

It is best to avoid any food that may be difficult to eat as your dental extraction site heals. Some examples of these types of foods include:

•Nuts and seeds

•Dried fruit

•Taffy or caramel candy

•Granola or trail mix bars

It is important to eat soft foods or follow an easy diet for at least the next day or two. Soft foods are easy to chew and do not require much force or pressure. Some examples of foods you may find easy to eat include:

•Canned fruits

•Smoothies

•Ice cream or frozen yogurt

If your tooth extraction is on the lower jaw, you may also try drinking with a straw. Use an oral irrigator to rinse food particles from your mouth if needed.

Clean your teeth regularly.

tooth extraction followupIt is important to brush and floss your teeth regularly after tooth extraction. This will help promote healing and keep your mouth clean, free of debris that can cause infection and tooth decay.

However, avoid brushing around the extraction. Rinsing toothpaste from your mouth haphazardly may dislodge the blood clot in the tooth socket. Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle, non-abrasive toothpaste. Until your gums have healed, do not use a hard-bristled brush or abrasive toothpaste.

Use Saltwater

Do not rinse your mouth out after the extraction. Rinsing your mouth after tooth extraction can harm your healing process. Tooth extraction sockets are very delicate, and rinsing too much may damage the blood clot forming in the socket. Rinse your mouth carefully with salt water after each meal after the first 24 hours

Rest

Rest is essential for healing after tooth extraction. Take it easy for the first few days after your procedure. Get plenty of sleep. And when sleeping, use extra pillows to elevate the head. Lying too flat may allow blood to pool in the head and prolong healing time.

Avoid strenuous activities

It is important to avoid any physical activity for at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction. Avoid sports or activities that jostle your mouth. Activities such as mountain biking, rollerblading, and contact sports should be avoided for a few days after your procedure.

See your dentist

dental consultation for tooth extractionIf you are experiencing any issues with your tooth extraction aftercare, see your dentist for an immediate consultation. Your dentist will determine if any adjustments need to be made to improve healing time and reduce pain. For instance, see your dentist if you have excessive bleeding, pain, or swelling. They may need to check the healing process or prescribe additional medication. You can also book an emergency dentist consultation if the pain still persists.

We want to hear from you! Let us know how your experience with tooth extraction aftercare went. Did you follow our tips and have a smooth, comfortable recovery? What was the most helpful for you in taking care of your teeth post-extraction? We’d love to hear about it. In the meantime, thanks for reading our blog, and be sure to check back soon – we’ve got lots of helpful advice and information coming your way.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/pulling-a-tooth-tooth-extraction

https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-extraction-aftercare

https://www.saintlukeskc.org/health-library/after-tooth-extraction-caring-your-mouth#

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326147

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