If you are suffering from a decayed tooth or have a wisdom tooth that cannot be treated, you require tooth extraction. Tooth extraction is a process that involves the surgical removal of the whole tooth under the impact of anesthesia. It may be either general or local based on your teeth’ condition and extraction complexity. Although teeth extraction is a simple and safe procedure, recovery may take one to three weeks.
On the other hand, there are a few aftercare regimes that you need to follow to speed up the recovery procedure. You need to be consistent with your oral hygiene and maintain a balanced diet so you don’t face any repercussions later.
- Rest to recover
First and foremost, you must get adequate rest after tooth extraction. Avoid strenuous tasks and activities, which require you to bend over and lift a heavy object since it may increase the blood pressure in the head, which results in bleeding at surgical sites. You manage post-surgical bleeding and swelling by resting at home.
However, it would help if you kept your head elevated on a pillow. It allows the blood and lymph to flow away from the extraction site and reduces pain and inflammation. It thereby allows fast healing and helps you get back on track.
- Eating soft food
A healthy soft food diet is critical. Although it is said that a nutritious diet is vital, you need to be mindful of the kind of food. You need to provide your body with related minerals and vitamins because it will promote wound healing.
However, avoiding crunchy, complex, and chewy food during recovery is fundamental. It will minimize irritation and help you to get the nutrition you require to get back on track. Remember that damaging the soft tissue on the surgical side will extend the recovery period. Are you searching for a cosmetic dentist in Plainview? There are many options available online and offline.
Initially, you must follow your dentist’s suggestions and stick to fruits, blended soup, smoothies, yogurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and mashed potato. You can also have soft fish and meat but try to keep the amount minimum. Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. Always go for nutritious and excellent options.
- Avoid smoking and don’t use a straw
Drinking with the help of a straw and smoking will have a negative impact on your oral health. It may dislodge a blood clot that forms inside the tooth socket. If the blood gets dislodged, you will increase the risk of developing painful health complications called dry sockets. A dry socket may result in severe infection; damage nerves, and deteriorates the jawbone.
You may also manage swelling by using a cold pack on the affected area. It will reduce pain and inflammation to an extent. The cold will not only slow down the blood flow and reduce swelling, but it will also numb the surgery side.
It will thus reduce discomfort and help you move your jaw without any problem. It is necessary to go for cold therapy because it is effective within the first 48 hours for a speedy recovery.
- Use medication when required
There might be some pain and discomfort initially; counter medication will help you overcome the dental problem. Although the discomfort might pass after a few days, you manage the painful symptoms with the help of anti-inflammatory and over-the-counter medication. You can go for over-the-counter medication because these are helpful. Never use medicines for 3 to 4 days consecutively.
Always take the suggestion of the dentist when you are increasing the dosage. It is always better to take medication recommended by a dentist. They are experts in their field and know how to manage dry sockets and mouth infections.
- Maintain oral hygiene at all times
Although it is impossible to floss or brush the extraction site initially, you may remove the food debris by rinsing the mouth with salt water. You can take a solution of table salt dissolved in warm water. Gently swish your mouth with the solution thrice every day.
Continue to floss and brush your mouth after the discomfort is over. However, you need to avoid using alcohol-based mouthwashes. It will unnecessarily irritate your oral health. On the other hand, you may go for fluoride-based toothpaste, which is very effective.
As far as possible, you must get in touch with dental experts because they know how to proceed. Whether it is a tooth extraction or any other procedure, an experienced dentist will utilize the latest technology to provide you with painless dental treatment.
They will help you with detailed aftercare instructions that will assist you in recovering faster. Get in touch with them as soon as possible to discuss your case and solve the problem quickly.
- How to discuss your case with a dentist?
It is easy to get a dentist these days. You can take the help of the internet to make a list of dentists working in your area. You may also get in touch with dentists who are recommended to you by your friends and family members.
These days, virtual dental appointments are in trend. You can go for these options because they are very effective and time efficient. On the other hand, you need to understand that oral problems require proper examination.
You must discuss your case in detail with the dentist so that they can evaluate you for the necessary underlying cause. When they access your oral health, they will be in a better position to provide you with a comprehensive treatment method that will be effective for you in the long run.
Dental care is an integral part of our health regime. Whether tooth extraction or any other dental treatment, always get service from an experienced dentist. They can help you get rid of all dental woes. Just like we get our whole body checked to ensure that there is no problem with any of the organs, you need to check your teeth from time to time.