Tooth extractions can be required for many reasons, and your San Diego dentist can help you decide if it’s the right course of action in your case. Teeth may have to be extracted because of decay, damage, orthodontic concerns, or, in the case of wisdom teeth because there isn’t room for them to come incorrectly.
Having a tooth extraction is a significant dental procedure that requires aftercare for success. You can reduce the risk of infection and increase the chances of a positive outcome when you follow these instructions immediately after tooth extraction:
- Ensure that bleeding is stopped and a clot is forming at the removal site by biting down on the gauze provided by the dentist. You must maintain constant pressure for at least an hour. If bleeding starts again at any time, use new gauze and apply pressure again until bleeding stops.
- Make sure you restrict your movements and keep your head elevated as much as possible for several hours.
- Starting 48 hours following extraction, very gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water each hour. Don’t use mouthwash that contains alcohol, which could cause pain and irritation.
- When you brush your teeth, you should avoid the stitches and avoid the extraction site completely at first. You should not touch the gap with your fingers or tongue because this could introduce bacteria into the site.
- If you have any swelling, use an ice pack on your face near the surgery site.
- Continue using previously prescribed medications as usual, but if you feel any additional swelling or itching start to happen that hadn’t happened before, contact your dentist or visit an urgent care clinic to rule out a potentially dangerous complication.
- Consume soft, protein-rich foods as well as lots of water and other fluids. For at least a week, don’t use a straw to avoid dislodging the clot at the tooth extraction site.
- Avoid smoking for at least 4 days because this can lead to dangerous infection or a condition called a dry socket, which is very painful and required treatment by a dentist.
- Be careful of stitches. Some will fall out within 2 weeks while others may need to be removed by your dentist.
Possible Complications From Tooth Extraction
The following complications sometimes happen after tooth extraction, but none are common. Take action as indicated:
Bleeding. Some bleeding immediately after extraction is expected, and it’s possible that you may see pink or red saliva for a couple of days. If bleeding is excessive or frequent, you can probably stop it by biting down on damp gauze to apply consistent pressure until you’re sure bleeding has stopped. If you don’t have gauze, try biting on a cool, moist tea bag. You’ll benefit because tea contains tannic acid which can help the blood vessels and slow bleeding. You may need to apply pressure for 30 minutes or more. Exercising, emotional upset and moving around increases blood flow and should be avoided while you’re at risk of bleeding. If still have bleeding after 48 hours from the surgery time or bleeding you can’t stop, you need to contact your dentist.
Dead tooth fragments. Even the most careful dentist may leave behind tiny tooth fragments that can cause problems. Bone and other dead tissue can be left behind as well. These tiny pieces will try to surface through your gums and may be painful, so you should contact your dentist if fragments cause you pain. This is a normal part of healing and not harmful otherwise.
Dry socket. When pain from a tooth extraction increased rather than decreases over time, you may be experiencing a problem called a dry socket. Food, debris or sucking through a straw can cause the normal clot inside a tooth socket to go away. Smoking and birth control pills can also contribute to dry sockets. This is not an infection, but a dry socket is painful and requires immediate treatment. Fortunately, your dentist can fix it by packing healing materials inside the empty socket.
Light-headedness. Especially if fasting was required before your extraction, you may experience a low blood sugar episode that makes you feel light-headed. Then if you can’t or don’t eat soon after surgery, you can experience further problems. Sitting up or standing up quickly can trigger more light-headedness. Eating something soft that’s also sweet can help even out your blood glucose level and make you feel better right away.
Numbness. Because a strong local anesthetic is often used for tooth extraction, you may still feel numbness for up to 12 hours after the procedure. This is normal and not of concern. In fact, it may keep you from needing pain medication.
Swelling. Swelling is normal at first, but it should not continue for more than 10 days or so. An ice pack applied to the face near the extraction area can help reduce swelling at first. Starting about 36 hours after the extraction, switch to moist heat as needed, perhaps a warm, damp cloth. Ice will no longer help at this point.
Difficult jaw movement. Normal at first, this side effect called trismus can last for up to 5 days and may make eating or drinking difficult. It should resolve on its own.
For more information or professional help following your extraction, contact the dentist who performed the procedure or a San Diego Dentist Association member. You should not have to suffer following a procedure.