Our dentists in Temecula, CA, understand that not many of us have had any other type of surgery before tooth extraction. Since this oral surgery can be your first oral surgery, dentists put extra care and effort into educating patients about the dos and don’ts after their tooth extraction procedure. Here’s what you need to do and what you should avoid following your upcoming procedure.
What You Should and Shouldn’t Do After Having Tooth Extraction Procedure
Do’s:
Rest for the next couple of days
You should take it easy and rest for the next couple of days. Even though you may feel okay performing your everyday tasks, as usual, it’s important not to overdo them after the procedure.
Eat with extra care
After having your tooth removed, your surgical site is still wounded and can be irritated by the food. Moreover, food debris can quickly get stuck in your wound. This can result in throbbing pain or even severe infection. So you should eat on the other side and not let your food disturb the wound in your gum. This will help you heal faster. Moreover, eat only soft foods, like soup, yogurt, and smoothies. It is better to follow the diet recommended by your dentist.
Apply cold compress
It’s not uncommon to experience swelling and jaw pain after tooth extraction. To help reduce swelling or discomfort, apply a cold pack near the surgical site.
Keep your mouth clean
This is the time when your dentist will ask you to hold on to brushing and flossing for a few days. Your dentist will let you know when you can brush and floss following the procedure. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t keep your mouth clean. You can gargle with lukewarm salt water. This can not only keep your mouth clean, but it can also prevent infections. Try to do lukewarm water rinses at least once a day. But remember, you shouldn’t do it too much since excessive and harsh gargling can disrupt the healing tissue.
Don’ts:
Avoid consuming hot foods
You should avoid consuming hot food or liquids after your tooth removal. This is because hot foods can disturb your wound and lead to excessive bleeding. Moreover, you can also burn your tongue or lips if you’re under sedatives since you won’t realize how hot the food is. So, hold on to hot food and beverages for at least 48 hours.
Don’t smoke
Patients with smoking habits should avoid smoking following their tooth extraction procedure. Since smoking can make it difficult for your tissues to receive oxygen, your wound won’t heal properly. In fact, smoking after tooth extraction can lead to a condition named hypoxia. So it is better to take care of your mouth and avoid smoking for the first few days following your surgery.
Avoid exercise
Avoiding exercise after a tooth extraction is essential and must be avoided for at least 48 hours. High levels of activity can cause excessive bleeding since it increases your blood pressure. Once the bleeding starts, your wound won’t heal properly. On top of that, it is difficult to stop excessive bleeding from the surgical site. So hold your parties, gym, etc., for a few days.
Final Words
Whether you are not sure if you need a tooth extraction procedure or already know you need to book an appointment for this oral surgery, our dentist at Nimmi Shine Dental is more than happy to help you. So, visit your dentist and get on top of your oral health sooner than later.
Nimmi Shine Dental
27699 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590, United States
951-695-1027
