What Shall I Do Following My Tooth Extraction? - FAQs

by Gardner Smiles Best Dental Clinic in Gardner, MA

Our permanent teeth are designed to last a lifetime. However, due to factors like severe decay and accidents, your teeth may need to be pulled out by an oral surgeon. According to a general dentist in Gardner MA, it is important to know that extraction is not a common dental procedure. At Gardner Smiles, we recommend teeth removal as the last resort when your tooth cannot be salvaged using any of the dental treatments.

In this blog, we will address frequently asked questions that people who have had tooth extraction often have in their minds.

I have had my tooth extracted. What should I do now?

We would say take it easy and rest for the day. Avoid moving or exercising much and take as much rest as you can.

What precautions should I take?

Avoid hot drinks and food until the sedation effect wears off. This is very important as in the sedated condition, you may not feel the pain properly and would end up burning your mouth. Also, be careful to not bite your cheek. This commonly happens when there is no feeling.

While resting try to keep your head high for the first night to avoid bleeding. It is a good idea to use one or two soft pillows to keep your head high. Use a towel on your pillow in case you bleed.

When can rinse my mouth?

You shall avoid rinsing the area for at least 24 hours. It is important to allow the affected socket to heal. You must be careful that you don’t damage the blood clot by disturbing the socket with your tongue or by eating on that side. This can infect the socket and affect the healing process.

Also, avoid alcohol for at least one day after the extraction as it can hamper the healing process and encourage bleeding. You can eat and drink lukewarm food as normal but strictly avoid chewing on that side.

When can I brush?

It is very important to maintain oral hygiene after extraction to keep your mouth clean and healthy. However, be careful around the extraction area.

What shall I do if it bleeds?

There may be slight bleeding for the first day. If it bleeds, do not rinse your mouth. Instead, apply pressure to the extraction site. Firmly bite on a clean piece of cotton like a handkerchief for 15 minutes. Place the cotton pad over the socket and replace it if necessary. If the bleeding doesn’t stop even after two hours, contact your general dentist in Gardner.

Is there anything I can do to help heal my mouth?

Different people heal at different paces after tooth extraction. Post extraction, it is important to keep the extraction site and your mouth clean. You need to make sure that the socket is clear of all the food remains and debris. Do not rinse for the first 24 hours and this will help you in healing.

After 24 hours, you can use salt-water mouthwash. A pinch of salt in a glass of lukewarm water gently rinsed around the extraction site can help clean the area. Practice this for a week at least or as long as your dentist advises you to.

Should I avoid any medicines?

You shall avoid aspirin-containing medicine as that can cause further bleeding. This may happen because aspirin can thin your blood slightly. Asthma patients should also avoid ibuprofen-based pain relievers. You could always check with your dentist if you are skeptical about your medicines or if you need a stronger dose.

Should I see my dentist again?

If your extraction has been a particularly difficult one, your dentist might suggest a follow-up. This could be to remove the stitches if taken or simply to check the healing progress.