Sometimes a tooth needs to be taken out. Patients are always worried about the after effects of a tooth extraction, so what’s to be expected and what should you do and not do to make the process simpler?
Eating
It always best to eat before an extraction to maintain a high blood sugar. Its best to leave it a few hours before eating post extraction and to chew
on the opposite side to which the extraction was done. Its best to keep the diet soft for a couple of days after an extraction and to ensure nothing gets stuck in the extraction socket.
Drinking
Its important to stay hydrated after an extraction. Frequent sipping of water is recommended but straws are not recommended for at least 24hrs post extraction. Alcohol consumption is not recommended for at least 48 hours.
Smoking
Smoking is not recommended for at least 48 hours. This author recommends to leave as long as possible. Smoking can affect the healing of the area leading to an increased healing time and an increased risk of dry socket.
Tooth brushing
Its important to continue brushing as normal after an extraction. However, when brushing around the extraction socket its best to go gently and not disturb the blood clot that’s formed while still clearing any food and plaque debris from the area.
Avoid
Avoid poking or pressing on the extraction site. Don’t play with area with your tongue or with an object such a pen or sharp object. Avoid rinsing or spitting forcefully. If stitches are needed these will dissolve by themselves with time and if nondissolvable sutures are required the dentist will arrange an appointment for their removal. Don’t try to remove these by yourself.
Pain
The area of the tooth extraction is numb for 2-3 hours post extraction ensuring the procedure is painless. As this wears off the extraction area may be tender/sore and this is normal. At the time of the extraction the dentist will advise you on pain relief to be taken at this time.
Dry Socket
If the clot that forms after an extraction breaks down for any reason its possible that the underlying bone and nerve may become exposed. This normally happens between 2-5 days post extraction. This can be quite painful and its important to return to the dentist as soon as this occurs at which point the dentist will clean the area and dress it.
For more information have a look at this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reC8DYX06O8
Should you need to talk to us about any of this don’t hesitate to contact us on
0214305569 or via our contact page