A General Dentist Discusses What Happens After Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction might be recommended if one or more of your teeth have been badly damaged by infection, decay or trauma. Permanent teeth might also be extracted when you have an overcrowded jaw or an impacted tooth that is threatening to damage adjacent teeth.

Tooth extraction can be used to treat such issues, and removed teeth can easily be replaced with oral prosthetics like implants. If one of a patient's wisdom teeth are extracted, there is no need to replace those since modern humans do not need them.

Recovery after tooth extraction

Teeth extractions are performed under local or general anesthesia. The latter is used when surgical extractions are performed, while the former is used during simple extractions. These drugs prevent the patient from feeling pain as the dentist works on their tooth.

Extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket, and it is usually accompanied by bleeding. The bleeding will stop once a blood clot has formed in the socket. Biting down on a piece of gauze can help to speed up this process. It can take a few hours after the procedure for the bleeding to stop.

Dentists typically prescribe painkillers to help to manage any pain or discomfort that occurs after an extraction. Many patients can manage the pain with over-the-counter painkillers, but some require prescription pain medication to get them past the recovery period. Ice packs can also be applied to the face to help manage any soreness.

The body needs rest to heal, so patients should plan to take at least one day off after their extraction. The next few days should be free of strenuous activities as the patient recovers.

The 24-hour recovery period

The first 24 hours after getting an tooth extraction are the most crucial period during recovery. It often dictates how well the rest of the patient's recovery goes. The extraction site will be ultra-sensitive during this period, so patients should avoid things that can aggravate it like smoking, brushing or flossing. A saltwater rinse can be used to clean the mouth while it heals. It should be gently swished around the mouth after meals.

Liquid and soft foods are best during the first few days. Eggs, mashed potatoes and puddings are great during this period. Anything that can aggravate the socket or get stuck there should be avoided. Straws should also be avoided since the suction created by them can end up dislodging the clot that forms in the socket. That leads to a painful condition called dry socket.

Other things patients can do to speed up their recovery include: