Your First Few Days After an Extraction

Your teeth are made up of several layers, including an outer layer of enamel, the strongest material in your body. Teeth are rooted in your jawbone and sealed off by your gums. However, sometimes you need to have a tooth extracted because of decay or damage.

At Morning Dental, we provide a full range of high-quality dental services to keep your whole family’s teeth healthy and looking great. Skilled and friendly dentists Bao Nguyen, DDS, and Michael Florman, DDS offer a full spectrum of dental care services to keep your family’s teeth healthy and looking great. We have many years of experience providing extractions for our patients, and giving them clear instructions and support for healing afterward.

Why get a tooth extracted?

Once adult teeth grow in, you may have those exact same teeth for the rest of your life. However, sometimes due to damage or decay, you may have to have a tooth professionally removed or extracted. This could be caused by:

• Tooth infection
• Too crowded teeth
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Wisdom teeth removal

If you get a tooth extracted, it’s crucial to follow the instructions your dentist gives you for taking care of your mouth after your procedure. Doing so helps prevent you from experiencing unnecessary discomfort, and helps your mouth heal from the procedure as quickly as possible.

Your first few days after an extraction

When you have a tooth extracted, you want the space where the tooth was to heal as quickly as possible. With all the moisture and bacteria in your mouth, this can be challenging. Here are a few guidelines to help:

Rest

You should plan to rest for 24 hours after your procedure. You likely will be drowsy, and it’s important not to stress your body, as it needs to save energy for healing. You also don’t want to increase the chances of dislodging a blood clot. 

Change gauze

After your extraction, you may have some bleeding, and you need to keep the extraction area clean and dry. Your dentist places a clean layer of gauze, which should remain there for a few hours to let a clot form. After that, you should regularly change the gauze to keep the area clean. 

Avoid pressure

You want to avoid doing things that create pressure inside your mouth that could dislodge a clot forming over your extraction area. You shouldn’t spit, use straws, blow your nose, sneeze, gargle, rinse your mouth, or smoke in the days after your procedure, as these activities create pressure. 

Pain relief

You may experience some discomfort after your extraction, but over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce your pain. Also, using cold compresses and elevating your head reduces your discomfort and helps promote healing. Your dentist may also prescribe prescription medications to take after your extraction, especially if it is complex. 

Following a few simple instructions after your tooth extraction minimizes your discomfort and helps you heal as quickly as possible. To learn more about extractions or make an appointment for any of our dental services, call one of our offices or use our online booking system.