The pain and trauma of tooth extraction are a thing of the past. Modern dentistry has made it so that the discomfort you feel is minimal and the wound heals quickly, with little disruption to your body. But even so, it’s important to look after your oral health until the wound has fully healed. Here’s how you can make your tooth extraction heal faster.
Extracting teeth is a safe and straightforward procedure. However, the initial recovery period may take between one to two weeks. Following the proper post-surgery regime and these tips could help speed up the healing process for a faster recovery time.
If your dentist or oral surgeon has placed a gauze over the wound, they will tell you how long to leave it in. If they don’t say otherwise, you should leave it in for two hours. At that point, a clot should have formed and all bleeding should have stopped, and the gauze can be removed carefully.
To help you recover as quickly as possible, the key is to get plenty of rest after a tooth extraction procedure. If your job allows it, take time off so that you allow your body to heal. Avoid any forms of exercise for at least 24 hours. Anything that raises your pulse could potentially open up the wound again and cause you more pain.
After your tooth extraction surgery, you’ll experience some bleeding in the socket where your tooth was. Because of this, it’s important to avoid disturbing the site of your extraction as much as possible. Your mouth will likely feel strange because of the newly created gap. However, resist the urge to feel the wound with your tongue, especially avoid touching the extraction site with your fingers.
Following a tooth removal, your gum is left in an extremely vulnerable state. The blood clot that forms over the extraction site is vital for healthy healing and recovery, but it can easily be disturbed. In fact, even the slightest touch can dislodge the clot and cause a condition known as dry socket, which can delay the healing process by up to five days. If there are any bacteria present in the mouth at the time of extraction, they can easily find their way into the open wound and cause serious infections.
After your dentist has removed a tooth, you may experience slight pain or swelling. It’s important that you follow your dentist’s advice on managing pain. This includes which medications they recommend (usually paracetamol and ibuprofen) and how often and in what quantities to take them.
Aspirin can be a great pain reliever, but it’s not the best choice if you’re concerned with keeping your blood from clotting or healing injuries. Aspirin can affect your body similar to that of blood thinners, which means it can slow down clotting and healing.
To make sure your extraction heals correctly during your recovery process, you need to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours after the procedure.
Smoking and drinking will delay healing and can even cause serious complications such as inflammation of the empty socket. If you drink or smoke after the procedure, the chemicals in the smoke or alcohol can constrict blood vessels or hinder clot formation. You’ll experience new bleeding, which can be painful and cause swelling.
It’s crucial to avoid rinsing, using mouthwash, or spitting immediately after tooth extraction because this can cause the clot at the surgical site to come loose, which will prolong the healing process and increase your risk of developing a dry socket. If a bad taste in your mouth persists for longer than two days, call your dentist.
After a dental extraction, it is not uncommon to experience swelling and some discomfort, making it challenging to eat anything. But if you do get hungry, be sure to eat only soft foods (banana, avocado, bananas, bread, warm soup, eggs, mangos, milkshakes, etc) in small portions. This will make it easier for you to chew and keep your mouth from getting sore. Avoid anything that’s hard or chewy. That includes raw vegetables, fruits, and any kind of candy.
For the first 24-48 hours after your surgery, you should apply an ice pack on the outside of your cheek. The ice pack not only numbs the area to provide some relief from any discomfort, but it can also slow the blood flow to reduce swelling and speed up healing. If you experience any itching sensations or increased pain, stop using it immediately and consult your dentist if the symptoms continue.
When teeth are extracted, it’s important to ensure that the area remains clean. But you can’t use a toothbrush or floss at the site for the first couple of days after the procedure. Instead, you can make a warm salt water solution by dissolving one teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water. Gently swish this solution in your mouth in the morning and evening and after meals to remove food debris and prevent infection.
It’s important to continue to brush and floss your remaining teeth twice per day to prevent the risk of infection, but avoid rinsing with alcohol-based mouthwashes, which can irritate the tooth socket.
We know that tooth extractions can be a brand new experience for some of our patients, and while it may feel intimidating at first, we want to assure you that we’re here to offer all the support you need. We have tons of experience successfully guiding our patients through this process, so we’ll provide plenty of detailed instructions to help you make a speedy recovery.
If you have any questions or concerns after your procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us. Following our instructions closely will ensure that your mouth can heal effectively, and we’re always available if you need any guidance along the way.
It can take roughly one to two weeks for your tooth extraction site to complete healing. If you notice any of the following symptoms or signs, contact our doctors as soon as possible:
If you have recently had a tooth extraction, you may be wondering how to tell if your wound is healing correctly and how long does it take to heal. In general, your gums will begin to heal and close around the removal site three days after your tooth extraction. In 7-10 days, that wound should be closed or nearly closed, and your gums should no longer be tender or swollen.
Salt water is often recommended as an aftercare solution for wisdom teeth removal because it can help to eliminate swelling and soothe the pain of a fresh extraction. When you rinse with salt water, you are able to clean the area without irritating the wound or removing any blood clots that have formed. This can help to prevent infection and reduce healing time.
It is important to note that saltwater can only be used in some instances, and not all tooth extractions will be able to benefit from rinsing with salt water. Salt water is generally recommended when a patient undergoes a simple extraction, but not when they have undergone a surgical extraction. It is also not appropriate if you have been prescribed medication following your procedure, as it could interfere with those drugs.
The best way to determine if you should use salt water after your tooth extraction is to contact your general dentist and ask them what they recommend. They will likely tell you whether or not it’s safe for you to rinse with salt water and give you instructions on how to do it correctly.
A tooth extraction is a big deal. We know that. At Sloan Creek Dental in Fairview, we strive to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. From using the latest technology in painless dental procedures to providing detailed aftercare instructions, we believe in going above and beyond to provide our patients with an exceptional experience.
If you think you need a tooth extraction, have an impacted wisdom tooth, or want more information about tooth replacement options, our team would love to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. We’re here to answer all of your oral health questions from start to finish.
To schedule your in-person consultation, contact Sloan Creek Dental, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you. You can reach us at our Fairview, TX dental office to schedule an in-person consultation with us today – 972-468-1440.
Our dental office is located in Fairview, Texas, and our patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Allen, Plano, McKinney, and Lucas.
