Tips for Recovering From a Tooth Extraction

Tips for Recovering From a Tooth Extraction

May 01, 2022

Tooth extraction procedures are less painful and disruptive today compared to previous decades. This is mainly due to modern techniques and devices used in the extraction procedure. However, you need to look after your oral health after tooth removal carefully. It ensures that the wound heals fast and thoroughly. Read on for tips on recovering from a tooth extraction.

Why Do I Need to Take Special Care of My Mouth After an Extraction?

The extraction process leads to pain, swelling, and bleeding from the extraction site. Instructions from the Gilbert dentist will help stop the bleeding, ease the swelling and relieve the pain. However, your mouth is vulnerable the first seven days after an extraction.

You can quickly develop infections at the operated site or dry mouth conditions causing painful symptoms. This delays or inhibits healing ad may lead to gum disease. You should therefore take special care of your mouth. Contact the dental office where you had your extraction if you notice symptoms of an infection.

Look out for the followings signs of an emergency after tooth extraction:

  • Fever of over 101 degrees
  • Worsened or uncontrolled bleeding
  • Intense throbbing pain not eased by regular pain-relieving medication
  • A bad taste, bad breath, or drainage from the extraction site
  • excessive swelling at the area of extraction that does not improve or gets worse
  • Numbness or tingling in the mouth
  • A bone that is visible in the socket
  • Pain that radiates to your eyes, temple, face, or ears
  • redness in the extraction site
  • symptoms that continue 7-10 days after the extraction

Tooth Extraction and Recovery During Pregnancy

Generally, dentists find it ideal to postpone non-essential dental procedures during pregnancy. Therefore, most treatments wait until after the baby arrives. However, tooth extraction cannot be delayed if there’s a risk of infection or permanent damage to your teeth and gums. In addition, if you are in severe dental pain that affects your daily life, this procedure must be carried out.

It is safe to have a tooth pulled out during this period, although it may not be a comfortable experience for you. For example, you may have a backache or a strong gag reflex that makes you very queasy. Dentists recommend extractions to be carried out during the second trimester. However, the dentist in Gilbert may make an exception for an emergency extraction,

All tooth extraction procedures at Coral Pointe Dental & Orthodontics are safe for you and your baby. Do not worry about any discomfort or pain during the process. The dentist will talk to your OB-GYN for help in choosing the right kind of anesthesia suitable for your condition. They will also develop a plan for effective pain relief after your extraction.

Pregnant or lactating women require special instructions on taking care of the wound after extraction. Most medications used to aid in healing are not recommended for them as they may harm the baby. Instead, they must follow the instructions from the dentist carefully. This will help avoid any complications that may delay healing or affect your child.

Aftercare for a Tooth Extraction

  • Keep the gauze placed by your dentist on the socket in place for two hours or until the bleeding ceases. Change it when soaked or as recommended by the dentist.
  • Relax as much as possible after the extraction. You can take the rest of the day off after a simple extraction and a couple of days after extraction by an oral surgeon.
  • Eat carefully using the side opposite the wound and stick to a diet of soft foods for a few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
  • Use an icepack on your cheek near the socket to reduce swelling and speed up healing.
  • Do not touch the wound using your fingers or tongue. You may dislodge the blood clot causing severe infections.
  • Take the painkillers and antibiotics as advised by the Gilbert dentist. Contact the dental office for stronger prescriptions if they do not work.
  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco products for at least 48 hours after the extraction. The nicotine causes inflammation and also leads to gum disease.
  • Do not take alcohol or use mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol slows down clot formation and may lead to prolonged bleeding.
Coral Pointe Dental and Orthodontics
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