Your Guide For Healing Dental Extractions

Sometimes, your teeth may decay or become too infected to repair, leaving dental extractions as the only remedy. After a tooth extraction, your dentist will prescribe some painkillers to help ease the pain or any discomfort. 

After an extraction, you should take proper care to make the healing process more manageable. Healing after a tooth extraction can be more difficult than healing from a less invasive dental procedure, especially when you don't know how to go about it. Here is a comprehensive guide on the essential healing tips.

How to Control the Bleeding

After the procedure, the gum area where the tooth has been extracted will bleed a bit. You can control the bleeding by biting onto the gauze that your dentist will provide. Bite the gauze firmly to create pressure that will stop the bleeding.

If the bleeding is intense, you can try biting on a teabag. Teabags contain tannic acid, which also prevents bleeding. Bite onto it until the bleeding subsides. Note that slight bleeding is normal after extraction.

How to Reduce Swelling After a Dental Extraction

To minimize the swelling, get some ice cubes; wrap them in a towel or plastic bag, and place them on your cheek where the tooth was removed. Let the ice sit on your cheeks for a few minutes, then remove it and rest for a few minutes. Repeat the process several times as you need to.

It's not uncommon for the gums to swell after extraction as part of healing. However, the swelling should be mild. If the swelling comes with a fever or excruciating pain, contact your dentist.

Dealing With the Pain

During the dental extraction, the dentist will put you under an anesthetic to prevent pain. However, the anesthetic will wear off after the extraction, and you might begin feeling intense pain.

Your dentist will prescribe some painkillers. Take medicine as prescribed and avoid overdosing despite the intensity of the pain. If the painkillers don't seem effective, consult with your dentist before buying any form of medication. 

Get Adequate Rest and Watch What You Eat

After your extraction, you need to get enough rest. Limit your activities for at least a day. After your trip to the dentist, rest up and go to bed early. As you rest, slightly elevate your head, and when waking up, get up slowly to prevent feeling dizzy. Healing happens faster with adequate rest.

For the first few days, watch what you eat. Get healthy and soft foods that are easy to chew and won't hurt your gums. Drink a lot of water and healthy liquids like smoothies or soups. 

Healing after a tooth extraction will be a breeze if you follow the tips above. If you're a smoker, refrain from smoking until you heal. Smoking increases pain and bleeding and may slow down the healing process.

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