What is care after tooth extraction?
Dr. Elseweifi and staff will give you detailed instructions on what to do and what to expect after tooth extraction. If you have any questions, make sure to ask them before you leave the office.
Care after tooth extraction while you are still in the dental office:
- Sit still for a few minutes immediately after the appointment. You want to be sure that a blood clot has formed before you get up and around.
- You will be biting on a gauze while you are waiting. This keeps pressure on the site and assists in stopping the bleeding.
Care after tooth extraction after you leave the dental office:
- Ice Packs - Apply ice pack on the side where surgery was performed. All this is done to reduce swelling. Application of ice pack is most effective during the day of extraction as after 24 hours there is no significant beneficial effect. Ice packs should be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1-2 hours. Often the swelling will not occur immediately but will reach maximum at 2nd or 3rd day. So, to minimize this swelling immediately apply ice packs. Various methods of applying ice packs include sealed plastic bags filled with ice or a bag of frozen peas.
- Rest - Try to take some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise at least for a day after tooth extraction. When taking rest,,keep your head lifted on a pillow.
- Blowing and sneezing - Make sure not to blow or sneeze after extraction as it creates a negative pressure thereby dislodging the clot and making the conditions favorable for dry socket.
- Spitting - Don’t spit minimum for 24 hours after tooth extraction because it can dislodge the clot. If the clot is dislodged you can have very painful condition known as dry socket.
- Smoking - Don’t smoke for 48 hours after tooth extraction as the chemicals in the smoke can effect the clot and hence the chances of developing dry socket 3-4 days after tooth extraction increases.
- Food- Don’t take solids immediately after Tooth Extraction till the numbness is there. When you start feeling your jaws you can start taking solids. After tooth extraction, take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc.
- Avoid Aspirin - Don’t ever take aspirin (Can take ibuprofen). Aspiring being a blood thinner will delay in clot formation thereby will prevent healing. Take the medications as prescribed by the physician and consult your dentist before taking any medicine.
- Don’t poke into the gap created - Though for initial few days, it will feel a bit awkward to have a gap but don’t poke that area with any toothpick or tongue as it may delay healing, may provoke bleeding and can also lead to dry socket.
- Medicines - Take your medicines as prescribed. Don’t skip the medicines. If antibiotics are given they should be taken regularly. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are to be taken after tooth extraction. It help in reducing the pain and swelling. If the pain continues even after two days of tooth extraction and bleeding starts then you should call your dentist.
Bucktown Dental Associates Care after tooth extraction