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Best Ways To Care For A Tooth Extraction

5 September 2017 by Gregory Price

Broken or damaged teeth can sometimes be repaired with a crown or filling. But there are some situations in which an extraction is the best treatment. Whether you're preparing for surgery or you're recovering, you might want to know what to expect and how to prevent complications. Here are the best tips for caring for a tooth extraction.  

Direct Care at the Site

During the first day, there may be some bleeding that occurs at the site, and for some patients, it can be heavy at times. The best way to control bleeding is by rolling up a small piece of gauze, placing it between your teeth and over the extraction site, and leaving it there for an extended period of time.

If that doesn't control the bleeding, you can try using a tea bag. Tea contains tannins that naturally work to constrict blood vessels and encourage blood to coagulate. Make sure you use black tea, steep the bag for several minutes in hot water, and allow the bag to cool before placing over the site. Leave the bag in place for about five minutes.  

What you do (and don't do) the first day can affect the healing process in the days that follow. So to maximize your chances of a smooth recovery, be sure to adhere to the following dos and don'ts:

• Stay away from vigorous rinsing or spitting.
• Avoid poking the extraction site with an object, toothbrush, finger, or tongue.
• Do not drink any hot liquids as this can dissolve or dislodge the clot.
• Prevent air pressure differences in your mouth that can occur from sucking through a straw, smoking a cigarette, sucking on a lollipop or piece of hard candy, and blowing your nose. If you have to sneeze, try to release through your mouth instead of holding it in.
• If you play a musical instrument, ask your dentist when you can resume practicing.
• Use ice packs against the cheeks to help with swelling and any accompanying pain.

One of the reasons for keeping the clot in place is because if it breaks away or breaks down prematurely, food and air can reach the bone underneath, causing pain or an infection. Call your dentist if you have any unusual pain, bleeding that won't stop, or any concerns about symptoms you're experiencing.

Routine Oral Care

When brushing and flossing your teeth, take care to avoid the extraction site. Also, you'll need to skip the oral rinses until healing is complete as this could dislodge the clot prematurely.

Activities

To minimize bleeding, you should stay away from activities that can increase your heart rate. And because exercise does just that, it's best to avoid it and just take it easy for several days following the procedure. You can go for a slow walk, but stay away from exercise equipment, weights, and any other strenuous workouts. Be particularly mindful to avoid bending over or picking up heavy objects.

Sleeping

While you heal, try to sleep and rest with your head elevated above your chest. Use extra pillows in bed or when lying on the couch, or sleep in a recliner if it's more comfortable. This will keep extra blood flow in and around the mouth to a minimum.

Medications

Your dentist will advise you on the best pain meds to use as well as how to continue with any current prescriptions.

If you've been prescribed a narcotic pain killer—which is very common with tooth extractions—be aware that they can upset your stomach, so it's best to take them with food. They can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. So be careful when getting out of bed and avoid driving.

Narcotics can sometimes cause constipation, so increase your intake of fiber and drink plenty of water while taking them. And as always, if you experience any unusual side effects, let your dentist or doctor know right away. Visit a site like http://renovoendo.com for more information. 

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