A tooth extraction and aftercare is not anyone’s favorite process or procedure, but it doesn’t have to be unbearable. Our team at Country Club Dental in Flagstaff has conducted countless successful tooth extractions, which makes us experts on the aftercare process. Read on to ensure you can recover from an extraction as smoothly, quickly, and painlessly as possible.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare: What to Do
DO: Secure a Ride Home
During a tooth extraction procedure, you will be sedated with a local anesthetic. This means you will not be able to drive home. Make sure you can count on a friend or family member to help you out.
DO: Schedule a Day Off of Work
The drowsiness brought on by anesthesia may last a few days, and the pain may linger for three or four. Give yourself time to heal, and let your boss know as far in advance as possible. We recommend aiming for a Thursday, or the day before a scheduled day off.
DO: Keep the Gauze in Place
As soon as you come out of surgery, you will be directed to bite down on some gauze. Keep biting down for 30-45 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Failure to do so will cause complications that may lead to you needing to return to the dentist immediately.
DO: Follow a “Tooth Extraction Aftercare” Diet
When you first arrive home, you’ll probably just want to sleep. But when you do develop an appetite, it’s important to ease yourself back to normal food. That means following a soft-food diet for a few days.
As you heal, stick to foods like:
- Yogurt
- Soup or broth
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
- Mashed potatoes
If you take a bite of something and it hurts, it likely means you’re trying to eat too soon. Wait a few more hours before taking another bite. If it’s been over three days and eating is still out of the question, call the office.
DO: Take Your Pain Medications as Directed
Your dentist will likely prescribe pain medications. Anti-inflammatories will also be administered for pain. If you are more comfortable taking a certain medication than another, let your dentist know. We will work around your medical needs.
DO: Call your Dentist if a Problem Arises
Being here for you in case of emergency is our job! Look out for issues like these:
- Excessive bleeding that lasts more than a few hours
- Severe swelling that worsens rather than gets better
- Pus or strange fluids seeping from the extraction site
- Pain that persists longer than 7-10 days
Tooth Extraction Aftercare: the Don’ts
Don’t: Dislodge the Clot
As you heal, a clot forms in the extraction site. If the clot becomes dislodged, the healing process will falter. That’s why it’s important to let the clot form. Do not touch or disturb it.
Don’t: Poke the Extraction Site
No matter how strong the urge to touch the spot is, don’t! Touching it risks disturbing the clot that has formed, or bringing bacteria to the spot. The urge to touch will fade as the pain fades. Wait it out – you can do it!
Don’t: Spit
Spitting or rinsing can disrupt your healing process. Avoid brushing your teeth for the first few days after the procedure. The return to your normal brushing and flossing routines.
Don’t: Use a Straw
Straws can cause a dry socket, or a hole where the bone and nerves are exposed. Dry sockets are extremely painful, and they set your healing process back at least a few days.
Don’t: Smoke
Smoking is horrible for your body in numerous ways. But after a tooth extraction, tobacco can dislodge the clot and cause extreme pain. Wait until the healing process is over to smoke.
Caring Dentist in Flagstaff
At Country Club Dental, we’re here to make the tooth extraction aftercare process as painless as possible. If you have any questions about payment, check out of Dental Savings Club, which provides affordable care for patients without insurance. We look forward to seeing you at your next exam!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash (6/1/2021)
