Dos and Don’ts After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Do you have an appointment with a Vernon dentist regarding a tooth extraction procedure for your oral health? These are among the most common dental processes in dentistry, helping rid patients’ mouths of infections. Like with any other dental treatment, you must prepare in advance before you get to the dental office for your appointment. Preparing allows you to familiarize yourself enough with what to expect during your procedure.

However, after your treatment, there are things you will experience that are not typical with other dental procedures. This is why you must also study up to understand the dos and don’ts regarding a tooth extraction procedure by a dentist in Vernon, BC.

What Is Tooth Extraction?

It is a dental procedure that entails the removal of a tooth from its roots. Even though dentistry is usually about preserving natural teeth for as long as possible, sometimes an emergency dentist near v1t 5j4 has to remove your tooth as the best treatment alternative. Usually, the tooth in question is problematic, necessitating its removal. Some of the problems that necessitate the removal of a tooth, whether a wisdom tooth or other teeth in your mouth include the following:

1. Tooth infection – most especially severe dental decay that has significantly compromised the structure of the tooth.
2. Impacted teeth – these are teeth that fail to erupt properly, therefore, partially getting stuck beneath the gum tissue. Such teeth cause significant pain when chewing.
3. Overcrowded teeth – during orthodontic treatments dental extractions may be performed to create more room in your oral cavity, allowing for proper teeth alignment.

Dos After Tooth Removal

1. Eat soft foods – start with soups, smoothies, and drinks. As you heal, you can begin introducing harder foods in your diet.
2. Cold compress – low temperatures around the site of the extraction will alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth and place it on the side of the cheek of the extraction site for about 5-10 minutes.
3. Rest – enough sleep is necessary for the healing process. Resting will especially be meaningful during the first 24 hours after your treatment.
4. Hydrate – ensure you drink a lot of water after your procedure. Your dentist will recommend not eating anything immediately after your treatment until the numbing wears off. However, you can take water to ensure you are not dehydrated as you await healing. Water will be beneficial for your healing.
5. Swish salt water – make a mixture of salt and water and swish it in your mouth. Be careful not to be rough when doing so to avoid removing the clot on the wound. The salt in the water will keep the wound free from bacteria that can increase the risk of infection at the site.
6. Use over-the-counter painkillers – the first 48 hours after your treatment can be rough once the numbing wears off. Therefore, your dentist may prescribe some pain relievers to help you manage the soreness that comes afterward. The medication should help you get through the first few days until the soreness wears off.

Don’ts After Tooth Extraction

1. Don’t eat anything before the numbing wears off – your whole mouth will be numb immediately after your procedure. Ensure you don’t chew anything as you can easily hurt yourself without knowing.
2. Don’t dislodge the clot – after your procedure, there is the temptation to keep feeling the state of your wound using your tongue. You have to resist this temptation because your tongue can easily dislodge the clot that is forming. The purpose of the clot is to allow for healing while curbing the bleeding that is typical after such a dental procedure.
3. Don’t eat hard foods – during the first few days after your extraction procedure, avoid hard foods. While you may feel capable of eating them, they can easily hurt your extraction site, reopening the wound that heals gradually.
4. Don’t use a straw for drinks – this applies especially the first 48 hours after your treatment. A straw channel’s air into your mouth, which might dislodge the clot forming on the extraction site.
5. Don’t chew on the side of the extraction – before you have fully healed, avoid chewing food on the side of the extraction site, as this can cause soreness in your wound.