What to do after a tooth extraction?

The preservation of your natural teeth is a priority. However, several reasons can lead us to perform a dental extraction: a severely decayed tooth, an abscess, a crack or break in the tooth, a painful wisdom tooth or one that takes the place of other teeth, a lack of dental space or loosening. Therefore, it is proposed only when no other solutions or therapeutic care fails.

Often dreaded, emergency tooth extraction is, in most cases, less painful than it seems.

What care after tooth extraction?

The two days following tooth extraction require special attention and specific care.

To avoid possible postoperative complications, the first thing to do is to follow your dentist's prescription, which differs depending on the type of operation performed:

·         In the event of a simple extraction on an uninfected tooth, an analgesic treatment and a mouthwash will largely do the trick.

·         In the event of a simple extraction on an infected tooth, you will also be prescribed antibiotic treatment.

·         In the event of surgical extraction, a powerful analgesic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment will be combined, all supplemented by the application of an ice pack to reduce the swelling.

Then follow these few recommendations and tips:

·         On the day of the extraction, rinse your mouth only with water and do not use mouthwash to avoid destroying the clot which is consolidating.

·         Use the mouthwash prescribed on your prescription only the day after the day of the extraction.

·         Maintaining good dental hygiene by brushing your teeth as usual while avoiding contact with the wound is very important.

·         Do not eat or drink too hot for at least 3 days after the extraction.

·         Do not eat rice, semolina or couscous.

·         Rinsing your mouth twice a day with a glass of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt cleans the affected area and promotes healing.

·         If the wound is bleeding, do not lie down, the best position for sleeping is to keep your head elevated.

·         Do not spit so as not to promote bleeding.

·         Refrain from smoking for as long as possible, at least for the rest of the extraction day.

·         Do not consume alcohol at least during the 24 hours following the procedure, and even more so if you are taking pain medication.

How to relieve pain after tooth extraction?

A little postoperative discomfort naturally accompanies the extraction of a tooth. However, there are several solutions to ease the pain during the days following the operation.

The cold has the effect of reducing swelling and soothing toothache. How to use it? You can also eat ice cream or ice cream by putting an ice pack against your cheeks and holding it against your jaw for 15 to 20 minutes.

Taking analgesics will allow you to fight against pain and quickly return to your daily life. Your doctor will certainly have prescribed medication, respect the dosage and above all, do not exceed the dose indicated to support the pain.

In summary, be careful not to disturb the tooth's extraction area, follow your doctor's advice and carry out the appropriate care for healthy and rapid healing.

However, in some cases, infection of the extraction site occurs with severe pain. This happens when the blood clot that should form is too small or non-existent, thus exposing the wound to infection. If you still feel severe pain, persistent fever or excessive bleeding, consult your dentist in Arlington, VA, as soon as possible.