If a tooth is badly damaged and putting the rest of your smile at risk, your dentist might recommend taking it out. Tooth extractions are a type of oral surgery where the dentist removes the tooth from your gums and jawbone.
After the procedure, you’ll need some time to heal, and it’s normal to see blood clots form at the extraction site. These clots are a key part of the healing process, so it’s important to avoid disturbing them. If they’re dislodged, it can lead to a painful condition called dry socket.
Dry socket exposes the nerves and bone and needs immediate treatment from your dentist. It won’t go away on its own. Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions can help you heal faster and avoid dry socket. Here are some tips to keep in mind while you recover.
Be Gentle with Your Oral Hygiene
You’ll still need to clean your teeth to keep your mouth healthy, but be extra careful around the extraction site. Brush and floss gently in that area to avoid disrupting the healing clot. Keep the extraction site clean by gently rinsing with warm salt water or an antimicrobial mouthwash. This will help prevent infection and promote healing.
Avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue or fingers. Your dentist will give you specific instructions to help you keep your smile clean without interfering with your recovery.
Avoid Sucking or Spitting
Movements like sucking through a straw or spitting can cause airflow and pressure that might loosen the blood clot. Your dentist will advise you to skip straws for at least a week after surgery. Smoking or vaping is also a no-go because the sucking motion and chemicals can put you at a higher risk for dry socket. Smoking can also delay healing.
Stick to Soft Foods
Eat a soft diet for the first few days after the extraction to prevent irritation to the extraction site. Your mouth will likely feel tender after the procedure, so soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, or soup can be easier to handle.
Softer foods are also less likely to harm the blood clot. After a couple of days, you can try reintroducing more solid foods. If anything causes pain, switch back to soft options and let your dentist know if the pain doesn’t improve.
Avoid Physical Activity
Doing strenuous activities or lifting heavy things can make the blood flow more to the hole where the tooth was pulled. This might move the clot and cause dry socket, cause a lot of pain, infection, and make it take longer for the hole to heal.
It’s best to avoid activities like running or lifting heavy stuff for a few days after getting a tooth pulled. Instead, stick to gentle things like walking or light stretches to help with circulation without putting too much pressure on the spot. This will lower the chance of moving the blood clot and make sure you recover faster and with less trouble.
If you ever feel severe pain or notice anything unusual during your recovery, don’t wait to reach out to your dentist. Following these steps can make the healing process smoother and help you get back to feeling like yourself sooner!