Caring For Yourself After A Tooth Extractions

While we always do our absolute best to save a tooth, in some circumstances it is best for your oral health and the health of your other teeth to extract a troublesome tooth. The prospect may be intimidating, but most people find that extraction is far less uncomfortable than they’d imagined. It’s crucial, however, to take proper care of the extraction site and your overall health in the weeks and months following an extraction to ensure effective healing.

1. Prevent dry sockets. While the extraction itself is usually drama-free, a condition called dry sockets can cause substantial pain after the extraction has occurred. Luckily, dry socket is easily avoided. Avoid sucking on straws, blowing on anything, spitting or smoking for at least a week after the extraction. You shouldn’t rinse your mouth at all for the first 24 hours or touch the gum area with your tongue or fingers. This will keep the blood clot that has formed in the gum from being removed from your mouth, and allow proper healing to take place.
2. Take medications as prescribed. Your dentist will prescribe certain medications following the extraction to make the healing process more comfortable. Make sure you take these exactly as stated to avoid discomfort.
3. Take time to rest. The extraction healing process won’t leave you worn out for too long, but you should give yourself at least 24 hours after your appointment to relax, rest, and recover. Just remember to prop your head up in bed to encourage blood flow.
4. Eat and drink sensibly. In the days after your extraction, you should stick to soft, easy-to-swallow foods so that you don’t have to chew vigorously. Keep the food on the side of your mouth not affected by the extraction if possible to avoid dislodging the clot, and remember not to use a straw with your drinks. We also recommend that you stay away from alcohol for a few days, as this can delay the healing process.
5. Brush carefully. After the first 24 hours, you will be able to brush your teeth again. While it’s very important to clean your teeth and gums, be extremely cautious and gentle around the extraction area. Some bleeding is normal, but excess bleeding should be checked over by your dentist.
6. Rinse with salt water. A warm saline solution is a natural and effective way to clean your extraction site and prevent infection. Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and very gently rinse your mouth. You should wait at least 24 hours after your extraction to begin the saline rinse, but then you can do it multiple times a day to encourage healing.