Tooth Extractions – At-Home Aftercare Instructions

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Tooth Extractions – At-Home Aftercare InstructionsThere are a number of reasons why tooth extractions are performed on patients at Community Dental Group. Granted, you may want to avoid having a tooth pulled and your dentist may do everything he or she can to save the tooth. However, in some cases, there is no other option and the tooth has to come out. We will usually perform a tooth extraction for one or more of the following reasons:

  • To eliminate the risk of infection – if for example you are undergoing chemotherapy and it has compromised your immune system, we may recommend extracting a particular tooth because there is a higher level risk of infection.
  • To prepare the person for braces – when the patient has a crowded mouth or a tooth cannot erupt (break through the gums), an extraction may be necessary
  • When a tooth has become loose due to gum (periodontal) disease – when the bones and tissues that support and surround a tooth are infected, it may have to be extracted because it has loosened considerably in the socket.
  • When there is an infection and antibiotics do not work – if damage to a tooth or tooth decay adversely affects the pulp and antibiotics are not eliminating the infection, we may opt for extracting the tooth.

Here is what to expect after you have had a tooth extracted. The recovery period should only last 48 to 72 hours if you follow these do’s and don’ts:

Apply a cold pack on the outside of your jaw and take any painkillers that your dentist has prescribed.

  • Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue and do not suck any liquids through a straw.
  • Change gauze pads before they become blood-soaked.
  • Continue practicing good dental hygiene habits at home.
  • DO NOT SMOKE!
  • Eat soft foods the first couple of days and then add more solid foods (gradually) while you are healing.
  • Prop your head up with pillows, especially when going to bed for the night as lying flat may prolong the bleeding.
  • Relax and avoid any physical activity during the recovery period.
  • Wait 24 hours before rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times daily.

If you would like more information regarding tooth extractions or any of the other dental services offered at Community Dental Group, feel free to contact us and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members.