A dentist may recommend tooth extraction as a last resort when it is impossible to salvage a diseased tooth. Anyone who undergoes this procedure must follow aftercare instructions vigilantly to avoid additional oral complications.
Although practicing good oral hygiene is essential to keep permanent teeth healthy, it may not be enough to prevent tooth extraction. Dentists may perform this procedure to treat the following conditions:
After removing a tooth, a dentist will advise a patient about necessary aftercare to avoid infection and other complications.
Dentists may prescribe painkillers to patients who have undergone tooth extractions, though post-procedure pain is often tolerable and usually subsides within three days. The overall healing process takes about two weeks and hinges upon preserving the blood clot that forms in the missing tooth's socket to protect the bone and nerve endings surround it.
Smoking inhibits the healing process by constricting the blood vessels and preventing oxygen from reaching the wound site making infection possible. Additionally, dentists advise patients to avoid taking aspirin following tooth extraction. Aspirin is a blood thinner and could prevent the clotting process needed for healing.
Immediately following a tooth's removal, a patient should avoid any movement or activity that can disrupt the clot's formation or cause the premature removal of any stitches. Patients should plan for a restful day of healing and talk with a dentist about when regular exercise and activities can be resumed.
Following a tooth extraction, patients may experience swelling. Applying an ice pack to the face over the extraction site as soon as possible after the procedure can minimize swelling.
Although maintaining a healthy diet can promote healing, it is essential to avoid various foods that can cause discomfort or disrupt the blood clot. Dentists instruct patients to eat soft foods, including eggs, yogurt, soup, applesauce, and pasta. Extreme temperatures and spices can cause significant discomfort.
Brushing twice daily is part of a healthy oral care routine but should not occur within the first 24 hours following an extraction. Toothbrush bristles are too abrasive for sensitive tissue at the wound site, and the mouth movements involved in rinsing can compromise the blood clot. Routine oral care can resume by the second day after the extraction. Saltwater for rinsing promotes an alkaline environment that inhibits oral bacteria, but patients should allow the liquid to drip out of the mouth and not spit.
A dentist may prescribe antibiotics for complicated tooth extractions that require stitches. Patients who prematurely stop the course of medication risk infection.
About a week following an extraction, patients should schedule a check-up appointment. The dentist will examine the socket and check the surrounding teeth for shifting.
Although dentists do everything possible to avoid tooth extractions, this procedure can sometimes improve a patient's oral health. Always follow instructions and schedule time off to rest following an extraction.
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