Tooth Extraction Do’s and Don’ts

Tooth removal or dental extraction is a common procedure performed as a last resort, usually when a tooth cannot be saved. Your dentist may recommend tooth removal if you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth, loose teeth or crowded teeth.

Are Dental Extractions Painful?

While most people experience feelings of panic when faced with a dental extraction appointment, the truth is that tooth removal is pretty straightforward and relatively painless. During a tooth extraction, the dentist loosens the tooth from its tooth socket and then pulls it out using a pair of forceps. Tooth removal is typically performed with local anesthesia and sometimes sedation.

Aftercare Instructions

Following a dental extraction, the dentist issues you with aftercare instruction to assist in the healing and recovery process. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can compromise your healing journey.

Below, we discuss crucial dos and donts that every tooth extraction patient should be familiar with:

What to Do (Do’s)

• Get enough rest after your tooth removal procedure. Keep your head elevated when sleeping.
• Keep the gauze pad at the extraction site to encourage clot formation and minimize bleeding.
• Use an icepack to manage swelling.
• Take your medications as advised by our dentists near you.
• Rinse your mouth with saltwater 12 hours after the procedure.

What Not to Do (Don’ts)

• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t take aspirin to manage pain. Aspirin is a blood thinner and can easily trigger excessive bleeding.
• Don’t poke or prode the extraction site with your tongue, a toothpick or any other item. Allow the extraction area sufficient time to heal without any interferences.
• Don’t use a straw for drinking liquids, as the sucking motion can dislodge the clot and cause bleeding.
• Don’t eat hot, spicy, or hard foods after your tooth extraction procedure.

When To See A Dentist After Tooth Extraction

It takes a day or two to get back to your old self after a tooth removal appointment. In some rare situations, however, this may not be the case.

Sometimes, complications can arise after dental extraction, necessitating additional dental visits. If an infection develops after tooth extraction, you may experience worsening pain, fevers, swelling that doesn’t subside after a few days and bad breath. If you experience such symptoms after tooth extraction, call Smiles of Canada immediately for emergency dentistry services.