Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

What You Should Do After a Tooth Extraction

16 April 2018

Herman Kim

Have you just had your tooth extracted after you needed emergency dental care due to an accident? Read on and discover some of the things that you should do in the immediate aftermath of the tooth extraction.

Take Your Medications

The emergency dentist may have prescribed some medication after extracting the tooth which was badly damaged during your accident. Make sure that you take that medication in accordance with the instructions of the dentist. The medication will help to manage the pain which you may be feeling after undergoing the extraction. The medication will also prevent your gum from swelling excessively due to inflammation.

Brush and Floss

You may be reluctant to maintain your oral care routine in the immediate aftermath of the emergency tooth extraction procedure. Don't let the pain you feel stand in the way of proper oral care. Brush your teeth as you usually do. However, be more gentle and careful when brushing around the extraction site since some tissues may be exposed. Vigorous brushing can cause more damage. Proper hygiene is important during your recovery in order to prevent microbes from breeding and causing infections as you heal.

Pay Attention to the Gauze

Don't forget to change the gauze which was placed on the tooth extraction site. Change it as often as you were asked to. The gauze is intended to absorb any residual blood from the extraction site. Leaving it in place for too long can give bacteria chance to proliferate and cause additional dental or systemic problems, such as infections. Observe that gauze and note down any conclusions which it may be pointing out to you. For example, each subsequent gauze which you remove should have less blood in it than the previous one. Any change in this trend may point to a problem which you need to address with the dentist.

Watch Your Diet

You should also avoid eating substances which are hard or those which are sticky in the first few days after the tooth extraction. Sticky foods may remain stuck around the extraction site. Hard foods, such as nuts, can cause you to strain as you chew them. This can put unnecessary pressure on the tender tissues at the extraction site. Eat softer foods for a few days until your mouth feels normal again.

It is never a good idea to postpone getting help from a dentist during a dental emergency. Call and get advice about whether a given situation qualifies to be a dental emergency or not if you aren't sure about what to do. The dentist will suggest the right way to approach the situation so that you don't lose time in case you need immediate attention.

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