The Dos and Don'ts of Life After a Tooth Extraction

What Is a Tooth Extraction?

It is a dental procedure that entails permanently pulling out a natural tooth from the jawbone. Usually, tooth extractions are necessary to optimize oral health.

Why Would Anyone Want to Undergo a Tooth Extraction?

Undergoing a tooth extraction in Plano, TX, is rarely a matter of choice. Many patients who undergo these treatment protocols oblige because they are necessary for their general oral health. A dentist can only recommend a tooth extraction when it is a necessary treatment option for a patient. Such instances include:

1. Severe dental decay – a shallow cavity can benefit from various treatment protocols, including dental fillings and root canal therapy. However, a deep one severely damages a tooth structure, and an extraction procedure is the best course of action.
2. Impacted teeth – feature teeth that erupt improperly. They remain partially or fully stuck under the gums, causing discomfort and swelling to the gums and jaw.
3. Crowded mouth – a crowded mouth results from limited space in the jawbone to house all your teeth. In orthodontics, dental experts recommend removing at least one tooth to create extra space in the jawbone for the rest of the teeth to align well.

Recovery Tips

At Tru Plano Dental, we are big on recovery guidelines after any dental treatment. The stakes are higher for surgeries. After tooth extraction, you have between 7 and 14 days to make a full recovery. Some patients take longer than others. During recovery, your lifestyle choices can worsen or better your healing pace. The idea should be to take measures that will speed up your healing process without undermining your comfort. Therefore, any dentist in Plano, 75023, will recommend several dos and don’ts to get you through your recovery, particularly during the first 3 to 7 days.

The Dos After Tooth Extraction

These tips revolve around the freedom areas that can help you maximize your recovery period while taking the necessary precautions. They include:

1. Keep the gauze in the wound until the bleeding stops. You may need to replace it after a few hours to lower the risk of infection.
2. Eat soft foods – the first 72 hours after your procedure will be the most crucial. Soft foods will be gentle on your mouth, avoiding pain and soreness. Some food categories like yogurts, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and well-cooked vegetables are great for your recovery. After the first week, you should be able to integrate other foods into your meals.
3. Keep your mouth clean to avoid bacterial infections.
4. Rest – take time off or work to rest, allowing your body to focus solely on healing.
5. Keep your head elevated when lying down. It will prevent blood pooling in your head, exacerbating swelling and pain.
6. Cold compress the affected side of your cheek. The low temperatures will ease the inflammation and alleviate the pain.
7. Take your pain medication – dentists in Plano, 75023, always prescribe medication that can manage your pain and swelling. Besides, part of your prescription may include antibiotics that will help reduce the chances of infection.

Things to Avoid After Tooth Extraction

A huge marker of a successful tooth extraction treatment is how carefully you adhere to the list of things to avoid after tooth extraction your dentist provides. They are not to limit you or worsen the quality of your life. Instead, they help you protect your extraction wound until it heals well. Some of them include:

1. Smoking and taking alcohol – slow down the healing process.
2. Hard and crunchy foods – may hurt your sensitive gums, worsening the pain and inflammation.
3. Spicy and acidic foods – will aggravate the pain.
4. Drinking through a straw – introduces dry air in your mouth that can cause a dry socket, resulting in immense dental pain.
5. Dislodge the blood clot on the surface of the extraction site – when the wound begins to heal, the body forms a blood clot. Its role is to begin the healing process without bleeding. Dislodging the clot can trigger further bleeding while causing pain. Resist the urge to run your tongue over the wound or poke at it with a sharp object.
6. Intense physical exertions including sports
7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush to clean your mouth – although keeping a clean mouth is crucial the last thing you need is a fresh wound near the extraction site.