8 Tips for Mouth Care after Tooth Extraction
Tooth Extraction
When you reach adulthood, you need to accept some challenges. Tooth extraction is also a challenge that you need to accept and look for how to take care of your mouth. Permanent teeth can live longer in your mouth until your last breath but sometimes, you need to go for tooth extraction. A badly damaged tooth should be extracted. For example, if it’s decay and trauma.
Some other reasons make the tooth extraction necessary, such as:
If it’s an infection: Tooth extraction is necessary if the damage of your tooth extends to the pulp. It means when it reaches the center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. It allows the bacteria to enter the pulp and develop an infection. The best dental surgeon in Lahore suggests root canal therapy but for severe conditions, you need to go for tooth extraction to prevent further damage.
Crowded mouth: sometimes, you have some bigger teeth in your mouth that can cause irritation and discomfort. Dentists remove the tooth to align the teeth.
To prevent Infection: If you are receiving any therapy, it might be possible that you are at high risk of the infection which makes your tooth extraction necessary.
Gum disease: it is an infection that involves the damage of tissues and bones that support your teeth. It makes it necessary to extract the tooth.
What to Expect From Tooth Extraction?
You need to visit dentists and oral surgeons for performing tooth extraction. Some people are scared of having pain sensations during the process but your dentist will take care of that. Your dentist gives your local anesthetic injection to numb the affected area for painless tooth extraction.
Your doctor May also use a general anesthetic to prevent body pain. It will also help you to sleep during the procedure. In case, you have an impacted tooth, then your doctor will cut away the gum and bone tissue that cover the tooth. The next step involves the forceps that help in grasping the tooth and gently rock it in the back and forth position. In some cases, the dentist finds it difficult to extract the tooth but it can be extracted by breaking it down into some pieces.
After the tooth extraction, the blood clot in the socket makes your dentist pack a gauze pad into the socket. You have to bite it down for some time to make the bleeding stop. Self-dissolving stitches are also used for closing the edges of the gums.
A dry socket is a painful condition that you may experience. It occurs when the blood clot breaks loose and exposes the bone in the socket.
Mouth Care When You Have Had Tooth Extraction Process
After the tooth extraction, your doctor will check the condition and ask you to go home. It takes a few days to heal the socket but you need to take care of your mouth to minimize the risk of pain and other issues.
- Follow the pain killers that are prescribed.
- You need to apply an ice bag to numb the affected area to ease the discomfort.
- After the first 24 hours, rinse your mouth with a solution of saltwater.
- Smoking does slow down the healing process. Experts suggest avoiding smoking during healing time.
- Get complete rest for 24 hours after the tooth extraction. It helps to dislodge the clot in your socket.
- Do not chew or eat any solid foods, but go for a soft diet. For example, you can eat soup, yogurt, pudding, etc.
- Do not forget to brush your teeth and tongue as it helps to remove the bacteria. Flossing is also crucial but make sure that you do not touch the affected area.
- Alleviate your head while lying down. Studies say that lying flat is not an ideal position after tooth extraction as it can prolong bleeding.
Final Thought
If you ever experience fever and chills, with swelling and any discharge, visit your doctor as it might be a serious condition. People also experience shortness of breath and chest pain that make it crucial to ask for medical help.
