Tooth Extractions in Southern Ontario: Common Question-Answer
Dentistry revolves around preserving and improving natural teeth. However, the St. Catharines dentist may recommend removing infected, decayed, damaged or crowded teeth. The procedure is known as tooth extraction. Read on to learn about tooth extraction aftercare and recovery.
What Does the Tooth Extraction Procedure Involve?
Tooth extraction involves pulling out a decayed, crowded or damaged tooth from its alveolar socket. Your dentist may carry out a simple or surgical dental extraction. Both procedures are safe and pain-free. This is because the dentist will administer sedatives and anesthesia before starting treatment.
Which Foods Are Eaten after Tooth Extraction?
After the tooth extraction procedure, gums around the extraction site will be sore. Therefore, you have to avoid eating things that increase your discomfort. In addition, you should avoid taking foods with small particles. They can dislodge the blood clot inhibiting healing.
As a result, it is important to change your diet for about a week following the tooth removal process. Eat nutritious, soft, easy-to-chew foods. They help reduce swelling and minimize the risk of complications. Ensure your diet provides adequate nourishment to aid the recovery process. Consume foods with vitamins, minerals and protein to promote wound healing.
You should take certain foods and drinks after tooth extraction in Southern Ontario. These are:
- Blended soups
- Pudding that includes soft, nutritious fruits like avocados and bananas
- Bone broth
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
- Cottage cheese
- Mashed pumpkin
- Salmon
- Cold or lukewarm water
Which Foods or Beverages Should I Avoid?
On the other hand, you should avoid spicy, crunchy, crumbly or chewy foods. Also, do not take hot or too sugary drinks. Avoid taking alcohol as it irritates the wound. It may also interact with prescribed medicine causing them to be ineffective. While taking drinks, do not use a straw. Doing so creates suction in the mouth, increasing the risk of dislodging the blood clot.
How Long Should I Recover from a Tooth Extraction?
The recovery period after tooth removal depends on various factors. They include the type of extraction, aftercare provided and the patient’s immunity. Surgical extractions take longer to heal than simple ones. After a simple extraction, you can expect to heal in 7-10 days. However, healing can take two weeks if surgical extraction involves wisdom teeth.
Post-operative bleeding may last 24 hours or until the blood clot forms on the tooth socket. Pain around the extraction site decreases slowly, easing completely within the third day. However, if the blood clot is interfered with, you will experience increased excruciating pain due to a dry socket. Notify your dentist if tooth socket pain continues past the third day.
Swelling of the mouth eases within 2-3 days after an extraction. Therefore, you can resume normal activities safely at this time. After about a week new tissue forms on the socket. It protects the underlying tissues and bone. Any jaw stiffness and soreness fades within 7-10 days post-surgery. Mild bruising on your face heals completely within two weeks after teeth removal.
How Can You Speed up Recovery and Avoid Complications?
The teeth removal dental clinic experts recommend following the tips below for smooth and fast recovery.
- Get adequate rest and avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours post extraction. Doing so helps decrease bleeding and post-surgical swelling.
- Eat the foods and drinks listed above drinks for uncomplicated and faster recovery.
- Follow the dentist’s instructions. For example, change the gauze pad as directed. It promotes blood clot formation and prevents gum tissue damage.
- Take the prescribed medications to help ease post-surgical pain and prevent infections.
- Apply an ice pack on the cheek nearest the extraction site to manage the swelling and pain.
- Maintain good oral hygiene but avoid brushing or flossing at the extraction site. Rinse your mouth with warm, saline water to remove food debris and bacteria in the socket.
Where Can I Have a Tooth Extracted?
Contact us at Monarch Dentistry if you want a tooth or several removed. Our dentists use the latest dental technology and techniques. Therefore, they provide a comfortable and painless tooth extraction procedure. We also provide personalized aftercare instructions to aid in recovery. The team also offers tooth replacement treatments to restore your smile and function.