Facts: The way you handle the affected area will determine how fast you recover after teeth extraction.
A dental extraction is like any other surgical process that you will go through – you have a pre and post-surgical phase that you need to work with. We have seen the pre-treatment phase, and now e want to look at what you need to do so that you can heal faster.
Tip #1: Plan Ahead
You must plan the recovery by talking about what you expect with the dentist. The dentist will tell you what to expect from the surgery and what you can do after the procedure.
The dentist will most likely suggest that you schedule the surgery when you are off work rather than when you are busy so that you can have some time to recover. You also need to have someone take you home after this procedure and take care of you during the first few days. With time, the wound will heal, and you will take care of yourself.
Tip #2: Protect the Surgical Area
You must be conscious about your recovery for the first six weeks after the treatment. The first six weeks are the most crucial because this is the time when most infections arise.
Infections come by because most people neglect oral hygiene practices, therefore make sure you maintain routine cleaning. Teeth extraction doesn’t mean that you have to avoid cleaning – you need to maintain the proper routine that you are used to.
You also need to make sure the surgical area is free from debris. The dentist will give you more information on how to take care of the area after surgery.
Avoid touching the area unnecessarily as well.
Tip #3: Control Bleeding
The process leads to bleeding that disappears after a few hours. After the extraction process, the dentist will give you a gauze that you bite down to reduce the bleeding. After the 12 hours are over, you can bite down on a damp tea bag, because tea leaves have been known to reduce pain and speed up clotting.
Tip #4: Reduce Swelling
Removing the wisdom teeth will leave your teeth feeling sore; therefore, apply ice packs to reduce the swelling and pain that you might be feeling. On the other hand, if you had an infection before the procedure, the dentist might recommend using a warm moist compress.
Tip #5: Opt for More Fluids and Fewer Solids
For the first 24 hours after the extraction, you need to stay on a liquid diet. This is because the area from which the teeth were extracted is still sore and needs to be handled carefully.
After the first day, you can then switch to solid foods, but not very hard ones that can cause pain. You need to avoid any food that requires a lot of chewing. Avoid the use of straws that might loosen blood clots and expose nerves and bones. Exposing these tissues will create a condition called dry socket, which can be very painful.
To help cool off the area where the extraction has been done, try eating low temperatures, such as ice cream and smoothies.
Tip #6: Keep the Jaw Moving
During the recovery time, you must keep the jaw moving by closing and opening the mouth several. This will improve blood flow to the area and reduce any stiffness in the mouth after the procedure.
Tip #7: Use Medication
Try to use the medication after the treatment. The dentist will prescribe antibiotics and analgesics to help prevent infection and reduce pain. The dentist will tell you what to avoid when taking the medication, such as alcohol and others.
The Lowdown
When you go for dental extraction at a dental office, you will undergo three stages – the preparation, treatment phase and the recovery or post treatment phase. All these are vital, and the best thing is that every stage has a dentist at hand. We walk with you right from the time you decide to have an extraction to the time you recover and come for the final observation. Call us today to take you on a journey of proper teeth whitening, and excellent recovery.
