Recovery Tips to Follow After Tooth Extraction

April 14,2022

Tooth extraction is a surgical procedure done under anaesthesia. The tooth is embedded into the jaw bone through roots. Once the tooth is pulled out of the jaw bone, the socket needs healing. A duration of one to two weeks is required for complete healing.

The precautions are usually followed till 24 hours following an extraction.

Some of the tips to follow after tooth extraction are:

Gauze Removal: Once the tooth is removed, the dentist compresses the socket and places a sterile gauze piece to control bleeding. Close your mouth and apply pressure over the gauze piece to aid in bleeding control. The gauze is to be removed after 30 to 45 minutes.

Numbness: The procedure is done under anaesthesia and there is an initial feeling of numbness at the extraction site. The numbness subsides after about an hour.
Medication: Once the numbness subsides, pain sets in. Antibiotics, painkillers, and multivitamins are prescribed for a period of 3 to 5 days. Make sure you take medications properly to fasten the healing process.

For the next 24 hours

Cold application: After gauze removal, eat ice cream or cold juice, or cold drink. It helps in stabilizing the clot. Also, cold packs can be applied to the cheek to aid healing.
No spitting: The patient is instructed not to spit throughout the procedure and to avoid it for the next 24 hours. This is because a negative pressure is created which might open the blood clot at the site causing bleeding and can hinder healing.
Soft diet: Porridge, soup at room temperature are helpful. Make sure you eat from the opposite side so that the clot is not disturbed.
Avoid hot food: Disturbs the clot.

After 24 hours

Warm saline rinses: Add a pinch of salt in lukewarm water and rinse properly before spitting. Do it 3 to 4 times a day for a week.
Warm food: Normal food should be taken after 24 hours.
Oral hygiene: Make sure you brush your teeth and be careful at the extraction site. Do not halt brushing as it might increase the bacterial load in your mouth leading to infection.