Aftercare: Help With Tooth Extraction Healing

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, extra teeth leading to overcrowding, a dental infection or periodontal disease, your oral surgeon may recommend a tooth extraction. Though our team at Central New England Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will be by your side to guide you through every step of your procedure, knowing ahead of time how to promote optimal tooth extraction healing could help improve your comfort level and speed up your recovery.

Tooth Extraction Healing Tips – Rest & Pain Management

First and foremost, make sure to talk with your doctor about oral surgery aftercare. You’ll likely be told to take your painkillers regularly, an important step if you want to stay on top of any discomfort rather than waiting until you hurt to try controlling the pain. Use ice to help control swelling; 10-minute intervals generally work well, but avoid leaving the ice on for too long or you could compromise the underlying tissue. 

Eat plenty of rest. Strenuous activity could dislodge your packing and disrupt the healing process. This is a great time to catch up on your favorite TV show or curl up with a good book.

Keeping Things Clean

You’ll likely leave the surgical center or doctor’s office with a gauze pad over the affected tooth socket. Bite down on the pad to help with clotting, changing it only as needed until you’re free to remove it completely in three to four hours.

Once you’ve passed the 24-hour mark, you can try rinsing your mouth with a salt solution (about half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water). Continue to gently brush and floss your teeth, avoiding the extraction site but carefully dislodging any food to help keep your mouth infection-free.

Getting The Right Nutrition

While your mouth is healing, stick to soft foods, like soup, pudding and smoothies. Save sharp and fibrous foods such as potato or tortilla chips, steak, chewy candy and nuts until after you’ve healed and gotten the go-ahead from your doctor. It’s important to stay hydrated, so keep a tall glass of water or an electrolyte-infused sports drink nearby and take regular sips.

Schedule Your Tooth Extraction

Protect your smile with a comprehensive oral exam courtesy of our talented team. To make your appointment, contact our office today.