Proper Aftercare Following a Tooth Extraction is Key

Going to the dentist to get a tooth pulled isn’t anyone’s first choice for how to spend a Tuesday afternoon, but it happens. There are a bunch of reasons your dentist might have decided you needed your tooth extracted – crowding, infection, a break below the gum line, gum disease, etc. And they likely stuffed some gauze on the extraction site and advised you to chill out (while sitting up) for the rest of the day before sending you on your way. Take some ibuprofen and don’t drink anything using a straw. Does that cover it? And what’s the big deal about using a straw?

There are three key things you need to think about now that you’ve had your tooth pulled and you’re back at home resting.

1. Minimizing irritation
2. Preventing Infection
3. Managing Tooth Pain

Understanding the best ways to accomplish these three things is going to make your recovery easier, more effective, and more efficient (read: quicker). Not a bad deal, considering all the things we’re about to discuss require pretty minimal effort. It’s mostly just not doing certain things, as opposed to having a recovery “to-do” list.

Alright, let’s go –

Keeping the Extraction Area from Becoming Irritated

Doing as little as possible to interfere with the socket that had the tooth extracted is key to a quick recovery, especially in the first 24 hours. That means no chewing on that side of your mouth, no drinking hot beverages, and no using straws. Oh yeah, and always keep your head above your heart – blood flow, gravity and all that.

Chewing on the side of your mouth where the tooth was extracted risks you jamming a piece of food or your tongue in the socket and ripping it open. This will either disturb any stitches and/or dislodge the clot covering the socket, causing bleeding and exposing the bone and nerve. Drinking hot beverages as well as drinking with a straw (suction) are also high-risk behaviors after a tooth extraction. You can easily dislodge the clot covering the socket, which can cause bleeding, inflammation, and leaves the area susceptible to infection.

Minimal swelling is normal the first day or two. Something you can do that will help with swelling is to use ice packs. However, only use it for max 10 minutes at a time so as not to damage any tissue. You also need to avoid raising your blood pressure, so no exercise for at least two days. Really, just chill out.

Inflammation and infection go hand-in-hand, so all the measures you take to not irritate the site are also going to prevent infection.

Preventing Infection after a Tooth Extraction

Besides keeping the area of the extraction site calm, you also need to keep it clean. But for the first couple of days, it’s more about keeping the rest of your mouth clean and leaving the empty socket alone. Things you can do to prevent getting an infection after a tooth extraction are:

• Leave that gauze your dentist gave you in place for a minimum of 4 hours. Change gauze at least every 4 hours or before the gauze gets soaked – whichever comes first.
• If your dentist gave you an oral antibiotic, make sure you take it and complete the entire prescription according to instructions.
• Gently swish lukewarm saltwater. And wait 24 hours before you do it.
• DO NOT brush directly on or around the site of the tooth extraction. However, DO brush your tongue and DO floss around the adjacent teeth to remove little bits of food (read: bacteria).

There’s no good reason – even cleaning – to disturb the extraction site for at least 24 hours. Why? You’re trying to let the blood clot fully form. The clot protects the empty socket from exposure to bacteria, preventing dry socket and infection while promoting healing. That clot is the only thing standing between the open air and exposed bone.

At-Home Pain Relief for Toothaches

It’s definitely okay to take some OTC painkillers after your procedure – a lot of people get toothaches or headaches after having a tooth pulled. It’s unfortunate, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s really not that bad. Ibuprofen is a good choice because it lessens pain as well as inflammation. Acetaminophen is alright if the pain is on the worse side. However, NEVER use aspirin or any blood thinner – including alcohol. It will increase any bleeding you have and it’ll prevent the clot from fully forming. A popular homeopathic option for pain after a tooth extraction is gently placing a clove of garlic over the extraction site. Garlic has pain relief properties as well as antimicrobial properties, so it’s a 2-in-1 home remedy for extraction aftercare.

Post-Extraction Symptoms that Require Emergency Dental Care

Now, there are certain uncomfortable symptoms that are totally expected after a tooth extraction. Light swelling, tenderness, a mild headache or toothache, and some bleeding are all totally fine in the first couple of days. And with the bleeding, remember to keep in mind that you’re seeing a mixture of blood and saliva, so it looks more dramatic than it is. Cause for alarm comes when these symptoms become extreme, and/or you experience:

• Fever and/or chills
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Excessive swelling, warmth at the site and redness
• Excessive and/or discolored discharge
• Chest pain
• Cough and/or trouble breathing

A good rule of thumb is, if it seems like it shouldn’t be happening and it’s not something your dentist mentioned when they sent you home from your tooth extraction, then something’s wrong. Go get medical attention.

I know that seems like a grim way to close a post, but don’t worry – if you properly care for the socket after your tooth extraction, rest, and keep up on your regular dental care routine, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It shouldn’t take more than a week before that whole situation is healed inside and out.