Dr. Richard Parsanko runs Sonoran Desert Dentistry in Scottsdale, Arizona. Here, he explains how to take care of your teeth after a tooth extraction.
Why would you need a tooth extraction? Patients who are experiencing chronic tooth pain or have too many teeth in their mouth often go in for tooth extractions.
What should you expect when you are scheduled for a tooth extraction? What is the procedure like? The process generally begins with your dentist numbing the appropriate areas of the mouth to lessen any discomfort. Next, the dentist will use special instruments to loosen and remove the affected tooth. When the tooth is removed, you will be instructed on proper at-home care, which may include prescription medication. Sometimes, additional procedures are be performed when removing a tooth to protect your dental health.
Is it normal to bleed after the extraction? After the extraction, the dentist actually makes sure that a small amount of bleeding occurs at the extraction site. This is because you want the hole to fill with blood to form a clot where the tooth came out. We always give the patients gauze to make the site stop bleeding. Applying ice helps as well because the cold helps to speed clotting.
What should and shouldn’t you do at home to take care of your teeth after a tooth extraction?
Do:
- Allow the extraction site to coagulate, or clot. So don’t disturb it.
- Take pain medication if your dentist prescribes it.
- For pain or swelling, apply a cold cloth or an ice bag.
- Brush and floss your other teeth as usual.
- Let it heal and follow common sense. For most people, it heals quickly.
Don’t:
- Smoke (you don’t want to create a suction of air).
- Drink through a straw (again, you don’t want to create a suction of air).
- Rinse your mouth vigorously but gentlu.
- Eat hard foods that could dislodge the clot. Don’t jam Doritos into that space.
- Clean the teeth next to the tooth socket of the extracted tooth.
What are complications that could happen if you don’t take care of your teeth properly after an extraction? One complication that could happen is a dry socket, which occurs as a result of inflammation in the empty tooth socket, when the clot is dislodged. It’s a painful complication because it exposes your bare bone.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
