Your dentist in Cranbrook may recommend you have a tooth extracted if it is severely damaged or decayed. Tooth extraction is also sometimes necessary in advance of orthodontic work. Many dentists will encourage patients to have their wisdom teeth extracted to prevent serious complications down the road. If a wisdom tooth has become impacted or is interfering with other teeth, extraction may be needed to prevent more serious complications.
Tooth extractions are common, safe, and almost pain-free. Having said that, it’s a medical procedure that you may find stressful and that will place some stress on your body. To reduce your anxiety and stress as much as possible, and to ensure that you recover as quickly as possible, we want to arm you with a simple set of important “Do’s and Don’ts.”
What to do after tooth extraction in Cranbrook
DO get lots of rest for the first 24 hours while focusing on keeping your head slightly elevated.
DO use ice packs and cold compresses (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for a total of an hour or two). They’ll help reduce swelling.
DO protect the clot in the area of the extraction by keeping pressure on the gauze left there by the dentist for as long as instructed. Then change the gauze every half hour until the bleeding stops (usually within 24 hours).
DO take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil, for example) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example), but avoid Aspirin since it may prolong bleeding due to its blood-thinning effect.
DO brush your teeth but be very careful to avoid the extraction site for the first three or four days after the extraction.
DO rinse your mouth with warm salted water but not until 24 hours after the extraction because the suction generated by rinsing and spitting can dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site. When you do start rinsing, do it four times daily and gently without spitting.
DO limit your diet to soft foods and liquids like soup (not too hot), fruit smoothies (not too cold), mashed potatoes, and yogurt.
DO take any antibiotics you’ve been prescribed exactly as instructed and right until the end of your prescription.
What NOT to do after tooth extraction in Cranbrook
DON’T smoke for 48 hours after your extraction. Smoking can increase the risk of dislodging your clot and the development of a painful condition called dry socket.
DON’T drink alcohol for 48 hours because it delays your body’s healing process.
DON’T eat solid foods for three or four days. As the numbness in your jaw fades and after four days have passed, gradually transition from soft foods to your usual menu.
DON’T skip medications. Your dentist in Cranbrook selected your prescription, dosage, and frequency with you and your specific needs in mind. Trust the dentist’s expertise. Follow their instructions and finish all prescriptions you’ve been given.
DON’T take aspirin. Aspirin has a blood-thinning effect that is a good thing in many situations, but not when bleeding after tooth extraction. Instead, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
DON’T poke at the extraction site with your tongue, toothbrush, or anything else. It’ll be tempting to explore but resist. Interfering with the site could prolong healing, dislodge the clot, and increase the risk of dry sockets.
DON’T eat hot foods or drink hot drinks while any part of your mouth is still numb. That numbness protects you from feeling pain, including pain from burning. Until the numbness wears off and your natural sensation returns, drinking or eating hot substances could lead to accidental burning and infection.
DON’T blow your nose, sneeze, spit or use drinking straws for three or four days after an extraction to avoid putting any pressure on that blood clot.
Tooth extractions are common and safe. Following these simple precautions will ensure you have a quick and complication-free recovery. Have you got a bad tooth? If you think extraction might help, get in touch with a dentist in Cranbrook. They’ll explain all the best options to help restore your oral health.