Recovery Tips for a Smooth Tooth Extraction Healing Process
Tooth extraction is the procedure of pulling out a tooth from its socket. The dentist may recommend it if your teeth are severely decayed, infected or injured. Recovery after an extraction can be uncomfortable, but you can smooth the process. Read on to learn recovery tips for fast and uncomplicated healing after tooth extractions in East York, Toronto, ON.
Pain Management Techniques After Tooth Extraction
Pain after tooth extraction is expected because the process affects the tissues around the extraction site. It is particularly intense during wisdom teeth removal recovery. Fortunately, it lasts for a few days and can be managed easily. Techniques to manage pain after tooth extraction include the following:
- Take pain-relieving medication
Your dentist will prescribe or recommend medication to ease the pain during tooth extraction healing. Take medicine as instructed to receive pain relief and alleviate inflammation. However, if the drug does not control the discomfort, contact your dentist in East York. You may have a dry socket or an infection. They will diagnose the problem and offer an effective solution.
- Consider cold therapy
Applying ice to the area near the extraction site numbs the area and helps reduce swelling. However, do not apply the cubes directly to the skin, as the cold may affect your skin. Instead, wrap the ice cubes or frozen peas in a towel or cotton cloth and hold them against the face. Leave the towel in place for 20 minutes, then remove it. Repeat the process until the pain eases.
- Get sufficient rest
Resting activates the body’s natural recovery process. You heal faster and resume normal activities sooner if you sleep for the first 24 hours following an extraction. So, ensure you get time off your daily activities to allow you to rest.
- Use saltwater
Saltwater rinses help keep the extraction site bacteria and debris free. This prevents infection and eases pain. So, prepare a saline solution using a cup of warmed water and half a teaspoon of table salt. Rinse your mouth with it beginning from the third day, particularly after meals.
- Eat the right foods
The extraction site can be irritated when you take hot or hard-to-chew foods, causing intense pain. So, eat soft, non-spicy and lukewarm foods for the first days after the procedure. Avoid foods with particles that can drift to the tooth socket. Ease into your regular diet slowly as the area heals.
Diet and Nutrition Tips for a Faster Tooth Extraction Healing
What you eat or drink after having a tooth extracted can determine if you heal fast or slowly. It can also prevent complications or increase the risk of oral health issues. Therefore, you should check your diet to ensure you receive proper nutrition.
Certain foods and beverages promote faster healing after the extraction procedure. For instance, you should consume soft foods and cold drinks for at least 24 hours afterwards. Take soft, easy-to-chew foods helps prevent irritation and pain. Cold drinks numb the extraction site and ease the swelling, relieving pain.
Ensure you eat foods filled with vitamins and nutrients that promote faster recovery. They include smoothies and mashed vegetables full of calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. You can also take fish as it has omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and other important vitamins and minerals. Examples of foods you can eat during the first few days following a dental extraction are:
- Blended oatmeal with banana
- Scrambled or boiled eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Shredded baked or ground chicken
- Lentil soup
- Baked sweet potato
- Baked Fish
- Mac & Cheese
- Mashed vegetables
- Hummus
- Pasta
- Quick smoothie with dates and seasonal fruit
In addition, you should avoid foods that aggravate the tissues in the tooth socket. For example, you should avoid spicy, hot, crunchy, chewy, or brittle and hard foods. Also, avoid hot, acidic and alcoholic drinks. They can prevent clot formation or dislodge the clot leading to a dry socket. The condition is painful and inhibits healing.
Conclusion
Your gums and jaw bone around an extraction site takes a few days to heal after an extraction. During this time, you will experience pain, sensitivity, bleeding and swelling. Fortunately, you can ease the symptoms and speed up the healing process with proper care. Schedule an appointment at Danforth Village Dental Care for tooth extraction and great recovery tips.