What are the necessary steps after tooth extraction?
Following tooth extraction, we must stick to a few ground rules. So that we can laugh and smile with confidence at the completion. Although many people have the horror that dentists’ favourite hobby is tooth extraction, and whenever possible, they immediately grab pliers this is done only in the most necessary cases. For example, If you have an impacted tooth or severely decayed tooth, you may need a tooth extraction otherwise it can lead to even more serious complaints.It can also happen that the orthodontic specialist recommends removing certain teeth, in many cases the wisdom tooth to create enough space for moving teeth with braces.
Tooth extractions are a safe and simple procedure. In most cases, the surgery only takes a few minutes but the initial recovery period from the surgery can last a few more days. During this time it is crucial to follow the right aftercare regime to have a smooth recovery process. Even though the oral surgeon will inform you about all the dos and don’ts in person right after the procedure it can be hard to memorise all while sitting in the dental chair. Therefore, in today’s post, we have assembled all the necessary information with Dr Mate Kelemen, a skilled Oral surgeon at Vital Europe.
We protect the wound as a treasure
Tooth extraction is associated with a wound at the site of the removed tooth, which causes bleeding. To dampen it, tamponing is used: after the tooth has been extracted, your dentist will place a gauze pad over the area to help stop the bleeding. You have to bite on the gauze for at least 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. Even after that, minimal bleeding may occur, but it is important not to start sucking the area. At the site of tooth extraction, a blood clot will form, which as a plug, it will clog the wound. You should not damage or move that blood clot, so we advise you to avoid rinsing, spitting and using straws for a week. For this time, we recommend neglecting physically strenuous activities and also sports, and avoiding smoking because it can cause immediate inflammation. Keeping the wound clean is also very important, therefore even after tooth extraction, you should not skip tooth brushing twice a day. The next day after the procedure, with a soft-bristled toothbrush, we can already carefully clean the area. Thus lowering the risk of potential adverse reactions brought on by infection.
Eat or not to eat, that’s the question here
It is a common misconception that we must fast after tooth extraction. When the anaesthetic effect will pass we can eat and drink. However, in the first days, it is advisable to eat more pasty, soft foods. In case you’d chew, do not do it on the side where the tooth removal took place. And put the following foods on a blacklist for one week:
- Dairy products, especially yoghurt and kefir, because of the live bacterial culture in them, the wound may become infected.
- The tiny seedy, rice, sticky dishes that can stick to the wound. In case this would happen, then we shouldn’t start poking it out with a sharp object or our tongue. Rather give some time to go away naturally and consult with your dentist.
- Hot, spicy foods because they irritate the fresh wound.
- Carbonated drinks, as well as vegetables and fruits with high acidity (for example, tomatoes, and citrus). Due to their caustic action, they also inhibit wound healing.
If you need a scalpel
In most cases, the problem can be remedied with simple tooth extraction. In the case of a broken tooth or an unbroken wisdom tooth, that requires surgical tooth removal. When performing oral surgery, the oral surgeon always closes the wound with stitches. Therefore, aftercare also requires slightly more attention, and it is even more important to keep the area clean. Since surgery is a more serious intervention than a simple tooth extraction, you may need to use antibiotics and even prescription painkillers.
The natural consequence of surgical tooth extraction is that the face can swell on the given side for a few days. To reduce this, we recommend sleeping with your head elevated on higher pillows and using an ice compress (from the outside, never directly to the tooth’s location) to reduce swelling. A rarer side effect is the temporary ‘mouth closure’, but if that happens to you, do not be alarmed, this will go away if you exercise your mouth. When removing the upper chewing teeth or wisdom teeth, there is a possibility that the maxillary sinus will open. There is no doubt that this is due to a special anatomical characteristic, but many people incorrectly believe that it is the result of medical malpractice.
If the removed tooth’s root or the inflammation around it sticks into the maxillary sinus, due to the extraction, a small passage can form between the facial and oral cavities. For this reason, after removing an upper tooth, we carry out a routine nose-blowing test. If necessary, the oral surgeon will close the sinus to fix the issue. If this happens, the patient will need to avoid blowing the nose and physical exertion for 3 weeks after surgery.
How long does it take to heal after extraction?
We will divide the healing of tooth extraction into two stages. In the first stage, the so-called soft tissue wound closure occurs. When the hole formed during tooth removal is covered by the gums. Perhaps surprisingly, but the gums are our fastest regenerating organ. If the surgeon used a suture, you will come back to remove it in 7–10 days. The wound will fully close by 12–14 days after tooth extraction.
Especially in the first week, while the wound is still open, we must be careful and follow the above rules. If we aren’t careful enough, on the 3rd-4th day we may experience sharp radiating pain that doesn’t relieve with painkillers. Which is a characteristic complaint of alveolitis, which is inflammation of the bony cavity of the tooth.This symptomatology develops when the blood clot formed at the site of the removed tooth is damaged, displaced, and the surface of the underlying bone is infected.
If we follow the instructions of our doctor, the gums can safely grow into the place of the extracted tooth. After that, the bony healing of the wound will begin. This is a less sensitive process because the healing happens under the gum. After 3-6 months, intact, healthy bone tissue has formed. At this stage, the prosthesis becomes relevant (except in the case of tooth extraction due to wisdom teeth or orthodontics).
It is not enough just to get rid of a problematic tooth. To be able to eat, talk and smile with confidence, we recommend replacing the missing tooth as soon as possible.
