After a tooth is extracted, the healing process begins. Follow these tooth extraction aftercare tips to help in this process:
- Apply pressure to the area by biting on the supplied gauze. Part of the take home package given to you has extra gauze. You will want to change this every half hour until the area has stopped bleeding. Getting a clot and keeping a clot is very important to the healing process. The area may ooze slightly for a few days, this is not uncommon. If the area continues to bleed you can take a tea bag and use that instead of the gauze, the tea can help the clot to form.
- During the first day it is important to maintain the clot when it is formed. Therefore, it is advised to avoid rinsing, spitting, sucking thru a straw, or smoking. Doing any of these things can cause the clot to come out and cause the area to start bleeding. One of causes of dry socket (a potential healing complication that is very painful) is the premature loss of this clot.
- Starting the following day, you can rinse with warm salt water to help clean the area after eating. Simply take ½ teaspoon of salt and mix it with a cup of warm water. Rinsing with this will sooth the area rather than burn which mouthwash will tend to do.
- Applying ice to the area can help with inflammation, which is typically done on and off for 20-30 minutes. Simply take a bag of ice (or a bag of frozen peas works very well), wrap it in a towel, and place on the skin adjacent to the area of the extraction
- Pain management medications will be recommended to you based on your needs.
- If an antibiotic is prescribed due to active infection, it is very important that it is taken as it is written. You do not want to stop taking the prescription before it is finished as this can sometimes allow the bacteria to adapt to the medication.
Call our office at (610) 929-4252 or contact us with any questions about tooth extraction aftercare.