Healing After Tooth Extraction
I had a tooth pulled out. What must I do now?
Don't overexert yourself for the rest of the day. Get as little activity as possible and get as much rest as you can. Keep your head straight to avoid bleeding.
What precautions should I take?
Do not consume hot foods or drinks while the anesthetic is still working. This is important because you don't feel pain normally. You could therefore burn your mouth. Also, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek. This is a fairly common problem when one has no sensation in the mouth. If you are resting, try to keep your head elevated the first night, adding an extra pillow if possible. It would also be a good idea to use an old pillowcase or put a terry towel over your pillow in case you experience a little bleeding.
Should I rinse my mouth?
Do not rinse the affected area for the first 24 hours. It is important to allow the wound to heal. You should also be careful not to damage the blood clot that has formed while eating or putting your tongue there. The extraction site could become infected, compromising healing.
What else should I avoid doing?
Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours as this promotes bleeding and delays healing. Eat lukewarm food and drink water at normal temperature as usual but avoid chewing on the affected area.
When should I brush my teeth?
It is also important, if not essential, to take care of your oral hygiene after an extraction. However, you should be careful when cleaning near the extraction site.
What should I do if there is any bleeding?
First of all, it should be remembered that on the first day it is normal to bleed slightly. Many people worry about how much blood they are losing. In fact, a small amount of blood mixes with a larger volume of saliva. It is therefore less serious than it seems.
If you are bleeding, do not rinse your mouth. Pressure must be exerted on the extraction site. To do this, fold a handkerchief or the like of the same type of cotton, place it on the site of the extraction and bite it firmly for at least 15 minutes. Make sure you place the piece of cotton directly on the site. Replace it if necessary. If the bleeding persists after an hour or two, contact your dentist.
What else can I do to take care of my mouth?
The speed of healing following an extraction varies from person to person. You should keep your mouth and the extraction at burch dental in rockford illinois site as clean as possible, making sure that no food or debris gets lodged there. Do not rinse your mouth for 24 hours for your mouth to start to heal. After the first 24 hours, use a saltwater mouthwash which helps with healing. Put a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and rinse gently around the wound twice a day to cleanse the area and promote healing. Continue for at least a week or as directed by your dentist. It is important to eat healthy. You can also take vitamin C to speed healing.
What can I take in case of pain?
During the first few days, the site where the extraction took place will be painful. In most cases, simple pain relievers are sufficient to alleviate the discomfort. Take what you would normally take for a headache. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and, if in doubt, seek the advice of your doctor before taking any medicine. Do not take aspirin, it promotes bleeding.
What medications should I avoid?
It is important to avoid any medicine containing aspirin because this makes the bleeding worse. In fact, aspirin slightly thins the blood. People with asthma should avoid taking ibuprofen-based pain relievers. If in doubt or if you need something stronger, talk to your dentist or pharmacist.