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Tooth extraction is usually done for teeth that have a hopeless prognosis. There could be many reasons why your dentist will suggest you go for an extraction. For instance, when a tooth cannot be saved by root canal treatment, it has to be extracted or your oral surgeon might advise you to go for an extraction for an impacted wisdom tooth, or your orthodontist wants some premolars to get removed to get space to align your teeth. Tooth extractions could be simple or complex, some might come out easily, and some might require minor surgery. In addition, the healing phase after the extraction depends on how patients care for themselves post-extraction. Even a simple extraction could have complications if the patient does not follow the instructions properly. Therefore, post-operative care is the key to achieving a fast and good recovery. If you want to know what these instructions are, what you should do, and what you shouldn’t, continue reading this article.
What Are the Do’s After Tooth Extraction?
Let’s talk about what you should do after a successful tooth extraction. Every dentist gives you a list of post-operative instructions, including what you should do after the extraction. Here, we are describing the general instructions.
What Should I Do In the First 24 Hours (Day One) After a Tooth Extraction?
The first 24 hours are crucial for the healing process. If you make mistakes in this crucial time, the chances of complications increase four-fold. You can follow these instructions:
- The tooth socket will bleed shortly after extraction, so bite on gauze for an hour to stop it.
- After an hour or so, you can change the gauze piece with the clean one. Remember keeping gauze is essential to form the blood clot in the socket wound. The blood clot will stop the bleeding and will ultimately reduce the pain.
- Applying an ice pack will help in the reduction of swelling and pain. You should apply the ice packs 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Take an ample amount of rest. All your body needs some rest after the extraction is done.
- Take the medicines prescribed by your dentist and complete the full course.
- Take a soft and liquid diet such as yogurt, pudding, applesauce, juices (without straw), or smoothies. You can have mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes but remember to eat from the non-operated side (where the extraction was not done).
- If possible, eat cold foods like ice cream as it will function as a cold compress.
- Take an extra pillow to elevate your head while sleeping. This will reduce the swelling.
What Should I Do After 24 hours (Day Two) of a Tooth Extraction?
After 24 hours of extraction, you can
- Brush your teeth, but you have to be super gentle with your brushing to avoid dislodging clots.
- You would be able to eat normally, but still you have to eat soft food.
- Continue your medication as described by your dentist.
- Remember, on day two, swelling reaches its peak; therefore, it is crucial to continue applying the icepacks.
What Should I Do After 48 hours (Day Three) of a Tooth Extraction?
After 48 hours, a lot of healing is expected to occur. By this time, swelling usually starts to go down. During this time, you can
- Start using warm saline rinses as they provide antibacterial properties and kill the bacteria. It is also helpful in increasing the mouth opening, which gets reduced after wisdom tooth extraction. For these rinses, take a pinch of salt in a glass of water and rinse gently or instructed by the dentist. Usually, it is recommended to move your head instead of cheeks for squishing.
- Some dentists also recommend using an antimicrobial mouthwash on day three. Hence, follow your dentist’s advice on what you should start rinsing and how many times a day. Usually, it is advised to do rinses about three to four times a day.
- Still soft diet is recommended. You can have scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, and soups.
What Are the Don’t After Tooth Extraction?
After tooth extraction, you should avoid the following things.
What Shouldn’t I Do in the First 24 Hours (Day One) of a Tooth Extraction?
- Do not spit, rinse, blow your nose, or use a straw. These all will disturb the clot which is forming in your tooth socket after the extraction. Dislodging the clot leads to a dry socket which is a very painful condition and requires dressing.
- Do not eat hot foods or beverages.
- Do not eat hard or crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn, toast, or food having seeds. If you decide to have ice cream, be sure it is plain ice cream and does not have nuts.
- Do not sneeze, cough, or suck on anything like candies, lozenges, or mint.
- Do not brush or floss that area. You can brush on the opposite side where extraction was not done.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not take alcohol.
- Do not do strenuous activities like exercises.
- Do not touch the operating area with your tongue or finger.
- While sleeping, do not lay flat.
- Avoid spicy food.
2. What Shouldn’t I Do After the First 24 Hours (Day Two) of a Tooth Extraction?
- Do not brush vigorously at the extraction site.
- Avoid hard and crunchy foods and avoid eating from the extracted side.
- Do not stop taking medicines in between, even if you feel you are feeling better. Usually, after wisdom tooth extraction, antibiotics are prescribed, which patients do not take the complete the course. This can increase the chances of post-operative infections.
- Avoid doing heavy exercises.
What Shouldn’t I Do After the First 48 Hours (Day Three) of a Tooth Extraction?
- While using warm saline rinses, do not move your cheeks for swishing.
- Do not ignore any signs of infections like severe pain and swelling, fever, nausea, bleeding from the extraction site, unpleasant odor, or any discharge.
- You might experience pain and discomfort for three to seven days after having a tooth extracted, particularly if it was a molar. Make an appointment with your dentist if, however, after five days you are still experiencing severe discomfort nearby.
- Avoid eating foods that can entrap in the tooth socket like hard or granular foods.
- Do not use toothpicks to take out the food particle which may get stuck in the tooth socket. You can use warm saline water to rinse your mouth to help loosen food that is stuck in the extracted tooth socket.
Additionally, most individuals return to normal in a matter of days. Within 48 to 72 hours, you can resume your normal routines, but it typically takes several weeks for the jawbone to fully recover especially if it is a wisdom tooth extraction.
Conclusion:
To conclude, extraction aftercare is the most important step to speed up the healing process. Do not get confused about when to rinse and when not to rinse. Understand and follow your dentist’s instructions properly to avoid complications like dry socket or infections. Seek emergency dental care if you feel healing has worsened, so the dentist can treat you right away, and help you feel better.