Recovery Following A Tooth Extraction
Taking care after your dental visit.
At Much Hadham Dental Care in Hertfordshire, we will always do everyting we can to save a patient’s natural tooth where this is viable. Where it is not, or where the prognosis for the tooth is very poor, it may be necessary to remove it.
The procedure itself is performed using a local anaesthetic and the dentist will then manoeuvre the tooth to loosen it from the socket, before removing it. You will then be given a piece of gauze to bite down lightly on, helping to form a blood clot in the area, preventing excessive bleeding and starting the healing process.
Post-extraction care
Whilst it is not uncommon to experience a little discomfort following the extraction, this is normal and should ease within a few days. You may wish to take your regular pain relief medication during this period. There are a number of things which, as a patient, you can do to make the recovery period easier on yourself and avoid complications, such as infections.
Smoking – We always advise against smoking for a number of reasons, not least the increased risk of gum disease. If you are a smoker though, we strongly recommend that you desist in doing so at least for the first 24 hours following an extraction, and longer if you are able. Smoking restricts blood flow in the area of the procedure and will therefore slow down healing and increase the risk of infection.
Don’t poke the area – We know it can be tempting to see how it feels by prodding the socket with your tongue. Unfortunately, this may well dislodge the blood clot that has formed and cause further bleeding. If this does occur, please use the extra gauze that the dentist will have given to you. If bleeding continues, please call us as soon as you can for further advice.
Use lightly salted water – Make a solution of warm (not hot) salted water. This will help to keep the area clean and free of infection. It is important that you simply ‘tip’ this around your mouth and NOT swill vigorously otherwise this, again, may dislodge the blood clot. This should be done for a few days.
Continue brushing – Although you will want to avoid the extraction area, you should continue to brush and floss your other teeth as normal. This will not only help to keep them healthy, but also reduce the number of bad bacteria in your mouth and reduce the risk of infections.
Most of our patients from Much Hadham, Ware and across Hertfordshire experience few problems following a tooth extraction and our team of friendly and experienced dentists will always do all that we can to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
If you have any queries or concerns about a forthcoming extraction, or wish to discuss how this may impact any other medical condition that you may have, please call Much Hadham Dental Care on 01279 842 567.