How to Take Care of Mouth After a Tooth Extraction?

There are numerous reasons why your dentist advises you to have tooth pulling. Some patients need to treat decay damage while others require to remove impacted wisdom teeth. It is a quick process performed by a skilled oral surgeon or dentist with either general, local, intravenous anesthesia, or a mix.

The recovery time differs from patient to patient. Post tooth removal, you need to care for the mouth properly. Following few tooth extraction aftercare tips (even on the first day) ensure faster healing.

Why Are Teeth Removed?

A number of the explanations for teeth removal are:

• Tooth Infection or Decay: If cavity or damage extends to the pulp and the middle of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels, bacteria within the mouth can enter the pulp. This results in an infection. Often this may be corrected with passage therapy (RCT). But if the infection is so severe that antibiotics or RCT don’t cure it, extraction could be needed.
• Crowded Mouth: Sometimes dentists pull teeth to organize mouth for orthodontia.
• Damage Caused by Dental Trauma: ‘Dental trauma’ could also be one of the main reasons behind tooth removal.
• Gum Disease: If periodontitis has caused loosening of the teeth, then it’s going to be necessary to tug the teeth.

What is the Procedure for a Tooth Extraction?

Your tooth removal will either be ‘surgical’ or ‘simple’ – depending on whether the tooth is impacted or visible.

Simple Extraction

You will receive an anesthetic to the area to be treated. It numbs the site around your tooth. So during the extraction procedure, you’ll feel no pain. The dentist then uses an instrument called an elevator to loosen the tooth and forceps to urge obviate it.

Surgical Extraction

In surgical tooth extraction, you will likely receive both local anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia. The latter of which allows you to stay calm and relaxed. You’ll also get general anesthesia, relying on any medical conditions. With general anesthesia, you’ll remain unconscious during the procedure.

The general dentist or oral surgeon will dig your gum with a little incision. They’ll need to get rid of the bone around the damaged tooth before it is removed.

How to Take Care of Mouth Post Tooth Extraction Procedure?

Wondering how to heal the treated area faster after a tooth extraction? Follow the following tooth extraction aftercare pointers and tricks to make sure that your recovery goes smoothly:

• Start taking any medication prescribed by your dentist immediately after surgery.
• Rest for a minimum of 24 hours after oral surgery.
• Use a gauze pad to prevent any bleeding.
• When sleeping, prop your head with pillows, as lying flat can prolong bleeding.
• You should gently rinse your mouth with warm and salted water the day after oral surgery.
• Only eat liquid or soft foods after surgery, like yogurt, smoothies, soup, milkshakes, and mashed potatoes.
• Reduce swelling by applying ice packs to the face for quarter-hour.
• If you have bleeding in excess or feel ‘numbness’ after tooth removal, call an affordable dental care clinic right away to ascertain if there could also be a drag.

Dental Don’ts After Oral Surgery

• Don’t exercise for 12 – 24 hours after oral surgery.
• Don’t do any work or forcefully move your head for a couple of days following tooth extraction treatment.
• Don’t rinse your mouth for twenty-four hours after treatment.
• Don’t brush the surgical site for a few days after treatment. Make sure you gently wipe it with soft gauze to stay clean.
• Don’t have hot foods or drinks until the numbness has worn off.
• Don’t drink from a straw, spit, or do any activity that would put pressure on the surgical site.
• Don’t touch the surgical site.
• Don’t drink anything for 24 hours (minimum) after tooth extraction treatment.
• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t ignore any post-op pain or concern. You must tell your oral surgeon about the problems you experience
• after oral surgery for proper healing.

After 1 to 2 weeks of extraction, you will be able to resume your everyday activities and return to your diet quickly. New gum, as well as bone tissue, will grow over the extraction site too.

Remember, missing teeth can result in the ‘shifting’ of teeth, which will affect your bite. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor about replacing the extracted tooth to stop this from happening. This will be through an implant, fixed bridge, or denture.