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Precautionary Measures After Tooth Extractions

Precautionary Measures After Tooth Extractions

May 01, 2021

If you have a tooth removed because of infections or injury, you undergo a surgical procedure to remove a part of your body. Whether the tooth extraction was surgical or straightforward, you must follow some precautionary measures after tooth removal. The preventive measures help you recover faster and prepare you for the tooth replacement procedure.

When you consent to have a tooth removed by your dentist, you admit something is wrong with the tooth and needs corrective measures to improve your oral health. The dentist near you doesn’t recommend extractions unless it is beneficial for your oral and overall health. The dentist makes every effort to preserve the tooth, recommending an extraction only as a last resort.

What Must You Do When Recommended Tooth Removal?

Do not think the tooth removal procedure is inconsequential because the dentist removes a part of your body from your jaw with its roots. The dentist may recommend the removal to prevent an infection from spreading to your jawbone, to prevent a severely fractured tooth from becoming infected and causing harm to your mouth and jaw, or merely to extract the tooth because it is beyond repair after injury. Regardless of the reasons for tooth extractions, you must understand you need to take proper care of your mouth if you wish to heal quickly.

What Precautions Must You Follow after Tooth Extractions?

The kind of extraction you underwent will determine the precautions you must follow after tooth extraction. If you had a visible tooth removed under local anesthesia, you could drive yourself home without help from others. However, if you require general anesthesia for a surgical procedure, you must ensure you have someone to move back home. Tooth extraction in Leesburg recommends not driving or operating any machinery for 24 hours after the surgical procedure.

What If You Notice Heavy Bleeding after Tooth Extraction?

Removal of some teeth causes heavy bleeding. If you find the bleeding excessive, gently wipe out large blood clots from your mouth. After that, take two gauze pads folded into quarters and place them over the bleeding site. Bite down firmly on the gauze pad for an hour without changing it. Repeat the procedure if the bleeding continues. In most cases, the gauze pad helps to reduce the bleeding. However, if bleeding is ongoing despite these measures, contact the dentist in Leesburg, VA, for assistance.

What Kind of Foods Can You Have after Tooth Extraction?

After one hour of tooth extraction, you can remove the gauze pads placed on the extraction site to have something to eat. Just ensure you stick to soft foods during the initial 24 hours after tooth removal. You must avoid scorching foods and cold beverages for several hours after the procedure. Avoid drinking from a straw for 24 hours. These precautions will help your mouth to heal correctly faster.

How to Manage Discomfort after Tooth Removal?

Discomfort after tooth removal, whether surgical or straightforward, is expected. The discomfort subsides within 24 hours. If Dr. Josef Wollman, DDS, did not prescribe any pain medication at the dental office, he probably feels your discomfort will likely be minimal. You can manage the discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers after the anesthesia begins to wear off after two to four hours. However, if the pain worsens and doesn’t subside for 48 hours, please contact the dentist for advice.

You may experience swelling on the cheeks after tooth removal. Here again, you don’t need any medications but can use home remedies like an ice pack on your cheeks at 10-minute intervals soon after the extraction process.

Brushing Your Teeth

After undergoing tooth removal, you must maintain excellent organizing and begin brushing your teeth after 24 hours of the procedure. Just ensure you avoid the extraction site because you wouldn’t want to dislodge the blood clot. Do not use mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide rinses for a couple of weeks after tooth removal.

Besides the above, the following precautions are also necessary to ensure speedy healing:

The dental CO. Of Leesburg recommends avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol after tooth removal because the two can hamper the healing process. Getting some rest for at least three days is necessary after tooth removal to ensure you don’t dislodge the blood clot. You must avoid strenuous activities needing concentration or coordination if you are advised narcotic pain medications. Avoiding driving or operating heavy machinery is also suggested by the dentist. The precautions are to ensure speedy recovery and healing without complications. Adopting them after tooth extractions help make your recovery comfortable.

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