Fast Healing After Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction procedures can seem intimidating. However, thanks to many advancements in modern dentistry, they are nothing to fear! Tooth extractions are only performed when all other restorative treatments have been exhausted. After an extraction is performed, your dental team will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and guidelines to ensure you have a speedy recovery! Keep reading to learn more about tooth extraction aftercare.
Dietary Restrictions
After a tooth extraction, it’s important to monitor what foods you’re eating. Avoid tough, crunchy, and sticky foods as well as extremely hot foods. Stick to soft foods that won’t agitate the extraction site. In addition to foods you shouldn’t eat when healing, it’s also crucial that you don’t use straws. The suction of straws can dislodge the blood clot over the extraction site, which can cause infection and other complications.
How to Clean the Extraction Site
On the first day after your extraction procedure, be very gentle and avoid brushing the teeth around the extraction site too roughly. After eating, gently swish around warm salt water to dislodge any food particles stuck between teeth or in the extraction area. Rinse the area frequently, but always make sure you are gentle so that the clot covering the healing area doesn’t budge.
The closer you follow your dentist’s at-home healing instructions, the faster you will heal. If you use straws, eat tough foods, and smoke directly after your extraction, you are more likely to get dry socket and have a long and painful recovery.
Questions or Concerns While Healing? Ask Your Dentist ASAP!
If you have any questions or any concerns arise after your extraction, don’t put them off, contact your dentist right away! Your dentist will be more than happy to speak with you and get you in right away if needed to ensure that you are healing properly. If an issue arises, the sooner you let your dentist know, the more likely they are to be able to correct the problem before it worsens.