A tooth may require extraction due to trauma, disease, decay, or other reasons. The steps taken the day of and the days after the procedure are crucial in promoting successful healing.
Immediately following the extraction, your oral health professional will place a gauze pack on the extraction site. Leave the gauze pack in place 30 to 45 minutes after leaving the office, and do not chew on the pack. The purpose of the pack is to lessen the bleeding and help the mouth begin forming a blood clot. A blood clot is the oral equivalent of a scab forming over a wound, and it is the body’s way of beginning the healing process. The clot forms over the hole where the tooth existed before extraction to protect against bacterial infection. Comprised of platelets and blood cells, the clot also helps produce chemicals that aid in rebuilding gum tissue. The goal is for the gum tissue to close completely around the extraction site.
Because it is important to not disturb the formation of the blood clot, avoid the temptation to disturb the clot with your tongue. For at least twenty-four hours after the surgery, do not suck, slurp, spit, or perform any other action that places pressure on the clot. Actions to avoid include sucking through a straw, smoking, sucking on candies, or rinsing your mouth with excessive force.
If the clot breaks down, you could develop a dry socket. Dry socket is an extremely painful condition that occurs when the bone and nerves are exposed after the tooth extraction. Moreover, disruption of the blood clot allows food to become wedged into the extraction site. Untreated dry socket prevents proper healing and promotes infection.
For twenty-four hours following the extraction, do not clean the teeth next to the healing site. You should still brush and floss your other teeth, and you should brush your tongue as well to remove the bad breath and taste most patients experience after an extraction. Also, during that twenty-four hour period, avoid alcohol (including mouthwashes with alcohol), drink lots of liquids, and do not eat solid foods.
The day after the procedure, you may gently begin cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket. You should use a warm salt water rinse to promote the healing process. To make a salt water rinse, mix one cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt till the salt dissolves, then gently swish the rinse around the mouth for about a minute. You can also begin eating solid foods, but try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site for the first few days.
Swelling and some pain are normal after an extraction. Apply a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling and discomfort. Also, do not be alarmed if the site bleeds somewhat. But if heavy bleeding persists for several hours non-stop, call your dentist. Keep in mind, however, that a little blood mixed with saliva can appear more serious than it actually is.
Finally, limit strenuous exercise for twenty-four hours after the extraction. Physical activities such as running or weight lifting stimulates an increase of blood flow, which may prompt the extraction site to bleed more than usual. Heavy physical exercise may also dislodge the blood clot.
By following these steps, you are on your way to a healthy, properly healed extraction site. Have questions? Give us a call at (919) 518-8222.
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