Home Care After a Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction procedure, it is important to follow the aftercare tips provided by the dentist to ensure full healing and prevent complications. The first few days after the treatment are crucial, and a quick recovery will mean that you can resume your normal activities as soon as possible. This article highlights a few routines to follow at home after the procedure.

Home after care instructions

It is important to avoid any activity that might disrupt the healing process. This means limiting exercises, not rinsing vigorously, avoiding smoking or alcohol intake and not brushing around the area for at least three days.

Handling bleeding

After the tooth extraction, a blood clot will form naturally to halt bleeding and initiate the healing process. The dentist will ask the patient to bite on a gauze pad for a few minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing continues, the patient should replace the gauze pad and bite firmly for at least 30 minutes. This can be repeated several times until the bleeding stops.

Patients need to be careful not to disturb the clot and avoid vigorous exercise for at least a day after the tooth extraction. This may increase blood pressure and cause more bleeding, break the clot and prevent quick healing. If the bleeding continues, be sure to reach out to the dentist immediately.

Handling swelling and pain

If a tooth has been extracted, patients may experience pain and swelling. This often occurs as part of the healing and recovery process. Applying an ice pack or closed bag of frozen peas over the area will reduce the swelling. Swelling should subside within a day or two.

The patients may also need to take pain medications and antibiotics according to the dentist’s instructions. This will help reduce pain and prevent infection. Patients must continue to take the prescribed antibiotics for the specified duration, even if they are no longer experiencing signs of pain or infection. If the medication seems to be ineffective for the pain, contact the dental office.

Diet

On the day of the procedure, patients need to take in as many fluids and nutritious, soft foods as they can. Unless otherwise instructed, normal meals can resume as soon as the patient feels comfortable enough. If nausea sets in after the procedure, drink flat soda (like Pepsi or Coke) or eat soda crackers.

Oral hygiene

With tooth extraction, it is important to keep the mouth clean for proper healing. Therefore, a normal dental routine should resume after a day. This means brushing and flossing the teeth at least once or twice a day. Keeping the mouth clean will help keep infection away and ensure quick healing after the procedure.

Final note

If severe bleeding pain or swelling persists for another two or three days or you experience an adverse reaction to medications after a tooth extraction, please reach out to the general dentist. The home care instructions provided should help ensure healing and recovery.

Request an appointment here: https://www.bryancousindmd.com or call Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore at (781) 443-8268 for an appointment in our Swampscott office.

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