Dos and Don’ts after Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is basically the removal of a tooth from your mouth. This kind of small operation is done when a tooth is severely damaged by different factors like tooth decay and more. Though it is only a minor operation performed by dentists, there are a lot of things that you need to know about after tooth extraction. Here are some of the dos and don’ts after tooth extraction.

Keep biting on the gauze placed on your tooth for about half an hour after tooth extraction. The gauze is placed on the tooth to help stop the bleeding. After more than half an hour, you can throw it away immediately. You must remember the gauze is quite important to prevent the wound from bleeding too hard especially after the small surgery.

Take it easy for a while and stop yourself from doing heavy tasks or activities after tooth extraction. It is true that your tooth has nothing to do with your daily activities, but doing heavy tasks like exercising, carrying heavy stuffs and other activities may cause your tooth to bleed. Rest your body as much as possible to prevent bleeding and tooth pain. While you are resting, make sure that your head is higher. If you are sleeping for the night or taking a nap, put an extra pillow on your head.

Try to avoid hot food or drinks after tooth extraction and stop playing with your mouth, at least until the anesthetic is gone. This is essential because if the anesthetic is still active, you won’t feel anything on your mouth. Even if you drink a hot coffee, you won’t even know that your mouth is already burned until it wears off. Also, it is tempting to play with the area where your tooth was removed. Try to avoid this kind of thing because it may cause the wound to bleed.

Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol after tooth extraction. Try to refrain from smoking for at least a couple of hours after your teeth are removed. The smoke can cause infection to your wound so make sure to stop smoking for a while. For alcohol, don’t drink for about 24 hours.

You can eat but choose what you will be eating after tooth extraction. Avoid any solid and hot foods at all cost. Even if you will chew on the other side of your mouth, there is still a possibility that some of the food might enter the wound. It may cause more problems to you, so eating soup can be an alternative. However, make sure that the soup is not too hot before you eat it. Burning your mouth will be another problem if you don’t pay attention to this.

 

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Think Twice before Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction, also referred to as the dental extraction or exodontia, is a medical procedure done to remove unwanted teeth from the mouth. Dental extraction is done for several purposes including extreme tooth infection or decay, advanced gum diseases, development of extra unwanted teeth, fracturing or breaking of teeth or for cosmetic purposes. Modern teeth removal can be done in two ways. There is the basic tooth extraction method which is carried out using a normal anesthetic. It is ideal when the tooth is well visible. The other method is surgical and involves teeth which cannot be easily accessed.

Modern medical advancements have made tooth extraction safer. This is, however, not to mean that there is no danger of development of complications after an extraction. Thus, it is important to consider the risks involved before getting your tooth extracted. There has been a documented case where a patient died while undergoing a simple tooth extraction. The cause of death was the lack of oxygen or hypoxia. Even though this is a rare occurrence, other complications are more common. Let’s have a look at some of the most common complications.

Infection

This is a very common problem that occurs after exodontia. An infection can be brought about by various factors including improper recuperation environment. In most cases, antibiotics are given either before or after the tooth extraction procedure to prevent an infection.

Persistent bleeding

Normal bleeding after tooth extraction should last for about eight to twenty four hours. Small amounts of blood can still be visible up to seventy two hours. In some cases, heavy bleeding persists beyond 24 hours. This can lead to various health complications. Gauze is usually used to stem the bleeding.

Swelling

This is also a common occurrence. Swelling becomes a problem when it is extreme and persists for long. It usually results from surgical tooth extraction.

Complications resulting from the anesthesia used

The anesthesia itself may be a cause of complications including stroke or heart attack. This is because not all types of anesthesia are fit for all patients.

Other complications

More risks of tooth extraction include nerve damage at the affected site. This may result in loss of taste and permanent numbness. This complication is medically referred to as lingual nerve damage. Dry socket is another risk which involves the inflammation of the affected site. Lastly, it can cause damages to existing dental structure while the doctor attempting to extract a tooth. This may lead to even more problems later on.

The best way to mitigate these risks is through knowledge. You need to know what to do prior to the extraction and also after the procedure. Consult extensively with your doctor and discuss all the details surrounding the procedure. In case of any complication after the tooth extraction, talk to your doctor immediately before it gets worse. Finally, choose your dentist carefully. Ensure that the dentist attending to you is qualified and certified by the proper authorities. This will minimize the risks involved in the tooth extraction.

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