|
After tooth
extraction
After tooth
extraction, the wound usually closes
in about two weeks. It takes three to
six months for the bone and soft tissue to be restructured.
Here is what to
expect and what to do after a tooth extraction to allow for a smooth and
a healthy healing.
Pain
after tooth extraction
Post surgical
discomfort can be expected after any surgical procedure. The analgesic
medication prescribed for you-Lodine, ibuprofen or Anaprox/Naprosyn will relieve this
discomfort and pain after tooth extraction when used as directed. This medication is a
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that actually prevents the formation of the
chemicals produced by the body that cause discomfort. Other stronger medication may
be prescribed. The local anesthetic used during surgery may produce numbness for 3-12
hours depending on the type of anesthetic used.
Care
after tooth extraction
 Unless otherwise instructed, do not rinse your mouth the
day of the tooth extraction.
The day following
tooth extraction, rinse gently using warm salty
water (1/2 a
teaspoon of salt
dissolved in an 8 oz. Glass of warm water). Continue for 1 week.
Rinse after eating to keep food particles out of the incision or tooth socket. Do not
rinse vigorously or the clot may be disturbed. Avoid using a commercial
mouthwash for
one week
Ice packs may be helpful in preventing swelling. Ice may be used only the first 24
hours after surgery. Apply ice for 20 minutes every hour. Do not use after 24 hours.
The bleeding will stop quicker if you lie down with your head raised.
If heavy bleeding continues, call your dental care provider.
Red tinged saliva is normal
for several days and is no indicative of bleeding. Gauze placed against the incision or
socket will always draw blood from the clot and this,
likewise, is not a sign of bleeding.
Do not use a straw of spit for 5 days after the
procedure. These activities can draw
the clot from the socket prematurely.
Foods
to eat after a tooth extraction
You may eat soft foods after the bleeding is controlled and the packs have been
removed. Eat soft foods such as eggs, soup, ice cream, cooked cereal, noodles, yogurt,
etc. In 4-5 days begin eating solid foods and try to return to normal diet.
Can you brush and floss after a tooth extraction?
It is important
to continue to brush and floss your teeth at
east once daily. Also brush
your tongue to eliminate the bad breath and unpleasant taste that are common after an
oral surgeon procedure.
Avoid brushing the surgery site until it has healed sufficiently. Sutures may have been
used to
close the incisions. Unless otherwise informed, these are dissolvable. This process
usually begins in 3-5 days and is complete in 7-10 days.
Swelling
after tooth extraction
Swelling is
normal after any kind of surgical procedure. A steroid may have been
administered if the procedure was done with a general anesthetic
and this will prevent
most of the swelling. The swelling usually reaches its peak 72 hours
after the surgery and
then begins to subside. Three days after tooth extraction,
warm heat may be applied to
the face to hasten this process if significant swelling has occurred.
Control of the blood clot
After the
surgery, a blood clot forms in the socket or incision.This clot is important in
aiding the healing process. Gauze packs may have been placed that are used to apply
pressure to the socket or wound. Keep the original packs in place for 1 hour or until they
become saturated. New packs are placed by folding a gauze into a small square and
placing the pack directly over the socket, then biting firmly on the
gauze. Keep the packs
in place as long as possible (1-2 hours). Frequent packing changes may disturb the
established clot,
causing its loss.
Dry
Sockets after tooth extraction
A dry socket after tooth extraction can occur if a blood clot is lost
prematurely. The
symptoms of a dry socket are increasing pain 3-5 days after the surgery, at a time when
the pain should be decreasing. Dry sockets are usually treated by returning to
your
dental care provider
Dry sockets can be prevented by following these simple
instructions:
Follow the diet
instructions, a soft diet is very important in preserving blood clot. Also,
avoid smoking, using a straw, spitting and vigorous activity for 3-5 days after the
surgery.
Stiffness of the jaw is normal for several days to weeks after the surgery, depending
on the extend of the procedure.
After 3 days, heat may be helpful in overcoming this, otherwise, let nature take its
course.
Dental
Implants -- now a popular way of replacing missing teeth
|