Tooth extraction aftercare happens the moment the procedure is finished. It usually takes a month or two for your mouth to fully heal so it’s important that you follow an aftercare procedure. There are a few things that your dentist will tell you once everything is patched. These are just quick reminders on what to do and what not to do. This article will explore all the information a patient should know about tooth extraction aftercare. Be sure to read this information a day or two before your procedure as it’s important to apply the instructions given to you during the first 24 hours.
The first thing you should know tooth extraction aftercare is its time frame. There are two sets of instructions given to you by your dentist after the procedure. One will cover all the things during the first 24 hours and the other covers after the day of the procedure.
- The hole left by the tooth will be stitched. It’s important to keep these stitches intact so the healing process isn’t disturbed in any way. Here are a few things you can do to avoid that.
- Avoid chewing on the side of the wound. Try shifting your chewing habits on the opposite side of the wound. This act is not exclusive to the first 24 hours instead you’ll be doing this in the first month or so.
- Keep your wound clean by rinsing. Depending on the dental clinic you went to, your dentist might give you a special solution to rinse with. If not, you can always do with a saline solution or salt water. Simply add about ½ teaspoon of table salt to a warm cup of water. Rinse 4 – 5 times a day.
- Keep your teeth clean. Of course, it is advised to avoid the area of the extraction. Still, maintaining a good oral health ensures that any complications on the healing process are reduced to zero.
Swelling
Another aspect of the aftercare is the swelling. Immediately after the procedure, your face will swell up. Bleeding also occurs as the wound is still fresh. Here are a few things you should know about:
- Bite down on that gauze. Your dentist will give you a gauze to bite down on. This keeps sufficient pressure on the extraction area. The gauze should only last for the first 24 hours before it is disposed of.
- To combat swelling, an ice pack will be recommended. Swelling occurs during the first 24 – 48 hours. Your dentist will advise using an ice pack. This keeps the swelling within the timeframe given and not beyond. Apply the ice pack on the area for 15 minutes in and 15 minutes off. Do this for the first 18 – 24 hours.
As for other things that your dentist might instruct you to do, medicine is also something you expect. Your dentist will give you a prescription for a few meds to take. This could aid in the healing process or avoid complications on it.
After The First Few Days
The steps we are discussing about should still be followed even after a couple of days have passed. Remember the ice pack for your swelling? Well, applying after the first day won’t be as effective. Here’s what you should know about it.
- Once the first swelling goes away, another will pop in after a few days. By this time, you should start using the opposite of an ice pack, a heat pack. If you don’t have a heat pack, use a towel moistened with hot water.
- A heat pack should only be applied once the selling has reached its peak which happens between the third or fourth day after the procedure. Furthermore, make sure your heat pack is at a tolerable temperature. You’re treating the swelling and not scalding your face.
- Apply the heat pack at 20-minute intervals. 20 minutes in the area and 20 minutes off it. This should be done a few time during the day.
Your stitches will also be removed a few days after the procedure. Not to worry though as its painless. When this is done, it’s safe to say that you’re on your way to a speedy recovery. However, proper treatment should still be followed until the wound is fully healed. Keep the wound clean and keep practicing good oral health.
Consult Your Dentist
If any complications do pop up like excessive bleeding or swelling that won’t go away, always consult your dentist. In situations like these, it’s advised to go see your dentist right away. However, if you’re unable to, then give a detailed report to your dentist. It’s crucial that every detail is given if you wish to receive the right instructions for treatment.
Contact with your dentist should always be open if you wish to maintain the proper speed of recovery.
Is Tooth Extraction Even Worth It?
Well, one of the few exceptions to the service being the only answer to the problem is an impacted tooth. An impacted tooth causes more damage the longer it stays in your mouth, so it’s always advised to remove it. Other than that, a tooth extraction service must never be your first answer to anything. Removing a tooth spells disaster in the future.
So, why are patients still choosing the service? Why, after all the consequences it brings, do patients still pay for it? Well, because it’s inexpensive. You look at a badly decayed tooth and the services that fix it. Compare those to a tooth extraction and the latter starts to sound reasonable.
In closing
When you do have a badly damaged tooth, then consult your dentist. You’ll be given the information you need and the services that can fix it. Don’t try and jump to conclusions on what service you should pay for immediately. You might come to regret it after a few years.
Take comfort in the fact that there are tons of services currently available that’ll fix whatever problem your teeth are under. Most of these services are affordable and effective.