What to do after a tooth extraction
If you’ve had a tooth extracted at the dentist then the advice is to take it easy for the remainder of the day. Rest is the best thing you can to do to aid recovery. It’s also best to keep you head up right so as to avoid any bleeding that may occur.
Can I eat?
While the anaesthetic is still having an effect, avoid hot food and drink as you won’t be able to feel pain. Burns and scalds to the mouth while under a local anaesthetic are more common than you think so be aware. Biting your cheek accidentally while chewing can also be a problem when there is little or no feeling.
When resting, use an extra pillow to keep your head higher, especially for the first night following treatment. Sometimes, you may have an after bleed, when the wound from your tooth extraction weeps. For this reason, use an old pillow case or place a towel on your pillow, just in case their is blood leakage during the night.
Can I use mouth rinse?
It’s is important to let the socket of your extracted tooth heal naturally. To help this natural healing, don’t eat anything use the affected side of your mouth for the first 24 hours after treatment. Alcohol should also be avoided for the first 24 hours too.
Soups make an ideal post-surgery food as there’s no chewing needed.
Can I still brush my teeth?
Yes you can, but just avoid the area around the socket from where your tooth was extracted from. It’s important to keep the mouht clean as possible in the hours following an extraction.
If it bleeds, what should I do?
It’s normal to have some bleeding after surgery so don’t be alarmed if there is any blood. If you’re in any way concerned about bleeding, then contact your dentist for advice.
Can I smoke after a tooth extraction?
Smoking should be avoided during the first 24 hours after treatment. This is because smoking causes blood pressure to rise which can lead to more bleeding.
If I experience any pain, what should I do?
In the hours and days following surgery, the gum around the socket will be tender and any pain you have can be dealt with in most cases with simple pain relief medicine. Don’t take aspirin and this can make your wound bleed.
If you are still experiencing pain following pain relief, then it could be that your socket has become infected. In this case, you should contact your dentist who will place a dressing on the affected area and put you on a course of anti-biotics to deal with the infection.
Do I need to have a follow-up appointment with my dentist?
No follow-up appointments are usually needed after a straight forward tooth extraction. Howver, if yours was a complex procedure or if there any complications then your dentist may want to see you a few days after treatment to make sure your socket is healing as it should be and everything is OK.
Do you need a tooth extraction in Leamington Spa? Contact our dental team today here.