Recovery after a tooth extraction

Tooth Extraction

Often, tooth extraction is unavoidable. There are many reasons a tooth must be extracted. For example, the tooth may be severely decayed after root canal treatment.

Tooth extraction is the only option.
If you go down the extraction path, you should take several precautions.
Routine periodontal care is one of the most important things that you can do.

For example, suppose you aren't getting proper teeth maintenance. You may be putting yourself at significant risk of having critical dental issues as you get older.

During this process, the gum tissues of your teeth get weak and lose. This can lead to other serious issues. Including tooth decay, bone loss, bad breath, denture, and root-canal decay.

Tooth extraction healing time

The extraction site will recover in around 1-2 weeks. If you notice anything unusual, please seek medical attention or call our specialists as soon as possible.

What to Do After a Tooth Extraction Aftercare!

Healing from Tooth Extraction

Bite on the provided gauze for a minimum of 30 minutes or until all bleeding stops.

Take the painkillers prescribed by your dentist immediately after the surgery, Otherwise as soon as the local anaesthetic wears away, the pain will start. While the pain is usually not too bad, it is still advisable to take painkillers.

Avoid spitting or using straws – the sucking motion can increase bleeding and damage the stitches.

Avoid smoking completely.

Take time off work, study and other daily activities until you have healed at least slightly.

Use an ice pack on the side of the face where the extraction took place to help avoid or reduce swelling.

Try to use Panadol and the pain medicine prescribed by your dentist rather than Aspirin or Ibuprofen.

Avoid rinsing your mouth too often, and do not touch the extraction area as this increases bleeding.

For wisdom tooth extraction, avoid rinsing for 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater every three hours for three days. This works to avoid any food particles lodging in the extraction area.

Depending on the complexity of the surgery, facial swelling may occur on the side of the extraction. Swelling is completely normal and can even happen after 3-4 days post-operatively. As mentioned before, an ice pack over the extraction site will help to minimise swelling. However, an icepack is most effective immediately after surgery and for the first 24-hours. After that, we recommend applying the pack for 30 minutes and resting for 30 minutes for around three rounds – or whatever works for you.

Slight oozing or bleeding post-surgery is entirely normal. Biting on a gauze pad for around 30 minutes should stop the bleeding. However, if the bleeding continues after four hours, use a dampened tea bag and place it directly on the tooth extraction site. The tannic acid in the tea bag will help the bleeding to stop. If none of the above benefits, contact Gorgeous Smiles Dentistry immediately.

Dry socket syndrome can occur 3-4 days post-surgery, which causes throbbing pain on the wisdom tooth extraction site. If you develop dry socket syndrome, there is no need to panic. This is entirely normal, but you must return to the Gorgeous Smiles Dentistry clinic. So your dentist can rinse the wound with disinfectant and place a soothing dressing on the site of the extraction. This should be repeated every two days until the pain is completely gone.

Any antibiotics should be taken as prescribed at the appropriate time. You should keep activity to a minimum during this time. Ensure you tell your dentist if you have any allergies in advance (e.g. Penicillin Allergy). If you are on birth control pills, be aware that they may be inactivated by the antibiotics.

If you have had sutured placed on the extraction site, please book in and return within 7-10 days to have them removed.

You should be able to brush your teeth on the night of the surgery, but ensure you spit out gently.

Avoid hot food, hot drink, or hot shower, as they can agitate the extraction site and result in more bleeding.

Try to avoid any hard, hot, or crunchy foods for the first 24 hours – instead, opt for soft foods and drinks such as smoothies, jelly, ice cream and tepid soup.

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?

In Melbourne Australia, the typical cost for tooth extraction may range from $200 to $600.

Do and don'ts after extraction?

Rest: Try to get some rest after the extraction. Maintain a slightly upright position on the pillow when sleeping.
Let it clot: Allow a clot to develop on the extraction site, protecting it and allowing it to heal.
Ice Packs: Hold on an ice pack to the affected area. The purpose of this technique is to reduce edoema.

Don't:

No smoking: Don't smoke for at least 48 hours after extraction. The compounds in smoke have the potential to alter the clot.
Don't consume solids right away: It's recommended not to eat solids while you're still numb.
Warm saline rinses: Rinsing is usually advised 12 hours after the extraction. So, warm saline rinses help clean and maintain that area's hygiene.
Follow your dentist's instructions for taking your medications: They help reduce the pain and swelling.
Avoid Aspirin: Aspiring being a blood thinner will delay clot formation, thereby will prevent healing.
Sucking of any kind should be avoided after extraction: SMOKING, SIPPING AND EATING HARD VEGETABLES are all terrible ideas. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, and other caffeinated beverages after extraction.
Don't poke your finger into the hole: It will feel a bit awkward to have a hole for the initial few days. But don't poke that area with any toothpick or tongue, as it may delay healing.

FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS

How long will it take to recover from a extraction?

The extraction site will recover in around 1-2 weeks.

How painful is a extraction?

Your dentist will numb the area before extracting the tooth. Where it will be removed with a local anaesthetic. Additionally, your dentist may use a general solid anaesthetic in some cases. This will keep you from feeling pain all over your body while also sleeping during the process.

What are the side effects of removing a tooth?

Extraction is linked to common post-operative side effects, including pain, inflammation, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Although most patients can expect some discomfort, oedema, and bruising in the area, these symptoms will fade over time.

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