Whether you’ve badly damaged a tooth or you need a tooth extraction in Albemarle, NC, due to decay or infection, you’ll want an easy recovery. That’s why our dentist in Albemarle, Dr. Draper, shared these tips. Ensure your continued oral health by following this guide.
Precautions After a Tooth Extraction
After a tooth (or dental) extraction, your gums begin to heal naturally. The highest risk for most patients is the possibility of a dry socket, which can become infected, causing pain and further required treatment.
Take care not to disrupt the clot that forms after a tooth extraction, which protects the site from this risk. Below are three common behaviors that cause this complication.
1. Rinsing or Spitting After Tooth Extraction
Patients often have the impulse to rinse or spit after a dental extraction. This can interfere with clot formation or dislodge the clot, especially within the first 24 hours.
It’s recommended to rinse gently using salt water to reduce infection risk, after 24 hours have passed.
2. Alcohol After Dental Extraction
Alcohol and blood-thinning medications should be avoided for 24 hours after a tooth extraction to prevent excessive bleeding. This can interfere with clot formation, raising the risk of a dry socket.
Likewise, it’s recommended that you wait 48 to 72 hours before exertion that would raise your blood pressure or heart rate.
3. Using Straws or Smoking After Tooth Extraction
When smoking or using a straw, suction is created. Even a seemingly small amount of suction could dislodge the new clot. Our dentist in Albemarle recommends you wait a few days before using straws or smoking after a tooth extraction.
Healing Time for Tooth Extraction
It’s best to plan for 24 hours of rest after your tooth extraction procedure to avoid complications. It’s common to feel some soreness for several days, but most patients recover completely in about a week.
For multiple extractions or patients experiencing complications, the full healing process may take several weeks.
How to Recover From Tooth Extraction
It’s important to prioritize your health and comfort while recovering from a tooth extraction. Below are three key points to focus on.
Pain Management After Dental Extraction
Our dentist in Albemarle suggests that you keep up with pain management. It’s common to feel stiffness or soreness for several days. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin can be used for pain and swelling.
A cold compress on the affected area is also an effective method to limit your pain.
Lastly, continuing to rinse with saltwater after a tooth extraction may help reduce swelling by killing bacteria.
What to Eat After Tooth Extraction
After a dental extraction, be sure to avoid crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods. Anything that requires thorough chewing may irritate the extraction site, especially during the first 24 hours.
Very hot or cold foods may also be hard to tolerate, as the site may be more sensitive to temperature.
Ideal options might include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Soups
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
…or similar soft foods.
Swelling After Tooth Extraction
Swelling can be managed effectively in most cases using NSAIDs and/or a cold compress.
If swelling after a tooth extraction persists or worsens during the following week, it might warrant a follow-up dental exam of the area.
It’s important to bring any concerns to your dentist’s attention as soon as they arise.
Signs of Infection After Dental Extraction
You may need to consult our dentist in Albemarle for treatment if ongoing swelling is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Foul breath
- An unpleasant taste or fluid
- High fever
- Increasing pain or sensitivity to temperature
- Swollen lymph nodes or tenderness in the gums, neck, or jaw
Any of these alone may not be cause for alarm, but it’s best to address these symptoms as soon as possible.
Left untreated, an infection of the gums may cause severe pain and damage to surrounding teeth. In rare cases, an infection of the underlying bone, or osteomyelitis, can occur.
Tooth Extractions in Albemarle, NC
If you need a tooth extraction in Albemarle, NC, it’s unlikely that you’re looking forward to the procedure. However, Dr. Draper’s approach is focused on the patient’s overall well-being and improved oral health. She works to minimize your discomfort during any procedure and provides the best path to a healthy, happy smile.
Hopefully, these tips will help assure you that with a few simple measures, your recovery can be quicker and more comfortable when our dentist in Albemarle performs your procedure.
Our dentist in Albemarle, Dr. Draper, takes a considerate and thorough approach to each patient. If you want to achieve your best possible oral health with expert treatment, schedule your appointment today.
