If you’re having a tooth extracted at Williamson Dental, you may be wondering what tips to follow to heal properly, reduce pain, and minimize your risk of complications. If so, you’re in the right place! Read on to learn about the top “dos” and “don’ts” after tooth extractions!

AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION, DO:

  • Do rest and relax! We recommend taking 1-2 days off of work or school, if possible. This way, you can go home and relax. After your appointment, just go home and lie down while keeping your head elevated above your legs using a pillow, rest, and relax.
  • Do take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen to help with pain. Don’t take aspirin, however, since it’s a blood thinner and may interfere with clotting.
  • Do use ice packs to help with discomfort and swelling. Apply an ice pack for up to 10 minutes at a time on the cheek near your extracted tooth.
  • Do allow the site to clot properly. After your extraction, you’ll need to bite down on a piece of gauze for at least 30-60 minutes. This helps a blood clot form in the extraction site, which is essential for the healing process.
  • Do follow Dr. Williamson’s dietary instructions. Stay hydrated, and start eating liquid foods like smoothies once you’re feeling hungry. He’ll give you a full list of foods you can eat during the recovery process.
  • Do start rinsing with warm salt water about 24 hours after your appointment. Continue rinsing at least 2-3 times per day after this until you can brush the extraction site, usually about 4-7 days after your surgery.

AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION, DON’T:

  • Don’t rinse forcefully, spit water forcefully, or use a straw for 24-48 hours. This can dislodge your blood clot causing a “dry socket,” which causes a lot of pain and can impair healing.
  • Don’t eat solid foods, even soft foods like mashed potatoes, of any kind until your mouth is no longer numb. Chewing while your mouth is numb could cause you to chew your tongue, lips, or cheeks, resulting in bleeding and pain.
  • Don’t exercise or do heavy manual labor for at least 24-48 hours. This can make the pain and bleeding worse and will be an unpleasant experience. Give yourself time to heal and recover.
  • Don’t or use tobacco products of any kind for at least 48 hours, and ideally for 3-4 days. This may be a good time to consider quitting smoking and other methods of oral tobacco use!
  • Don’t brush your implant site directly for at least 3-4 days. Brushing it directly can irritate it, cause pain and discomfort, or even dislodge the blood clot, impairing healing.
  • Don’t mess with the socket by poking it with your tongue or anything else. Leave it alone so that it can heal properly.

COME TO WILLIAMSON DENTAL FOR GENTLE TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

At Williamson Dental, we offer expert tooth extractions and other dental services in Columbia IL. After your appointment, Dr. Williamson will provide you with all of the information and instructions you need to recover quickly and get back to your day-to-day life.