Post Tooth Extraction Info Seattle Washington

Post Tooth Extraction Info

What to do after a tooth is pulled

When a tooth is so badly damaged that it can not be repaired by a filling or a root canal, the tooth may need to be extracted. The procedure involves the dentist numbing the area, and then using surgical instruments to free the tooth from the jawbone. In some cases, pieces of the gum and bone will need to be cut away to remove a tooth. Proper healing of the area will require the patient to follow several important instructions from the dentist.

The main thing you want to reframe from doing for the first twenty-four hours after having a tooth extracted is rinsing out your mouth with water. It is difficult not to, your natural instinct is to wash out the excess blood the may form in your mouth after the treatment. The problem is that spitting or rinsing can unseat blood clots that are forming in the area where the tooth has been removed (the socket) and can prolong bleeding. Instead of spitting or rinsing, it is important to bite on the gauze or cotton that the dentist has provided. Keeping steady pressure on the area where the procedure was performed should help stop the bleeding within a few hours of the extraction. Biting against a moist green tea bag can also be useful to help end the bleeding stop. A dentist should be consulted if bleeding persists for more than eight hours. The next thing to avoid after a tooth has been extracted is smoking. Smoking, like spitting or rinsing, can have a negative impact on clot formation, which can prolong bleeding. Smoking can also irritate the area where the tooth was removed, delay healing, and may increase the possibility of developing dry socket, a painful infection of the treated area. It is also a good idea to avoid eating any food that is too hot, spicy, or crunchy, as they can irritate the area where the tooth was extracted.

To help ease any pain or discomfort after a tooth has been removed, the dentist will often prescribe narcotic pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprophen (Advil) are also effective in alleviating discomfort after a dental extraction. If pain persists after several days, a dentist should be called. If swelling of the face occurs, it can be treated with an ice pack for the first 24 hours after the procedure, and then with warm compresses thereafter. Warm salt-water rinses can also be used if swelling persists a day or longer after a tooth has been extracted.