How To Take Care of Your Mouth After Getting a Tooth Removed
Does a tooth extraction lie in your not-too-distant future? If so, you may be wondering what to expect after the procedure. While your Edmonton dentist can advise you of any particulars that apply to you specifically, here are some general tips to ensure a speedy and pain-free recovery.
Manage Your Pain
Most people experience little to no pain after a tooth has been removed. A few days of general discomfort—easily managed with over-the-counter drugs like Advil or Motrin—is usually the total level of soreness experienced. However, some tooth extractions are more complicated, especially those that involve impacted wisdom teeth. If your own tooth extraction is more complex, you may experience a greater level of discomfort afterwards. In this case, use painkillers as prescribed and apply ice to keep swelling down.
Keep Your Mouth Clean
To avoid infection, it’s critical to keep your mouth clean. In the days following your tooth extraction, use clean gauze to soak up blood and replace pads before they become overly saturated. Drink water after eating and rinse your mouth regularly with a solution of warm water and salt (one cup water to one teaspoon salt). Be mindful to gently roll the liquid around your mouth and avoid vigorous swishing or spitting. In addition, you should continue to brush your teeth and floss as you normally would but exercise caution when brushing near the tooth socket.
Promote Proper Healing
In addition to keeping your mouth clean, it’s important to not disturb the wound. A blood clot will form that’s critical to healing. Certain activities can dislodge the blood clot and thereby re-open the wound. For this reason you should avoid:
- Spitting
- Smoking
- Sucking (using a straw, for example)
- Rubbing the gap with your tongue
- Vigorous rinsing
- Eating foods that require a lot of chewing (stick to soft foods for the initial 24 hours)
- Exercising and physical activities that get your blood pumping
Possible Complications
There are two scenarios to watch out for after a tooth extraction: infection and dry socket. In both cases, you’ll need to return to your dentist in Edmonton to resolve the issue. Infection after an extraction is rare, but if you have one, you’ll need to take antibiotics. A dry socket is more common and is caused by a dislodged blood clot that leaves the bone underneath exposed. In this case, you’ll want prescription painkillers as the condition is very painful. Contact your dentist after an extraction if:
- Swelling does not go down after a few days
- You experience moderate to extreme pain
- The area around the wound seems inflamed
- Gums are unusually red
- You have difficulty swallowing or chewing
General Dentistry Services in Edmonton
Looking for a dentist accepting new patients in the Edmonton area? Look no further than Hermitage Dental Clinic to provide you professional and friendly dental care. Contact us now with any questions about the treatments we offer or to book an appointment today!