Purchased your favorite over-the-counter painkiller? Been to the dentist’s office for treatment? If either of these describes you, congratulations! You can stop reading this article. However, if you’re still interested in how to care for yourself after a tooth extraction, read on. Tooth extraction can be an anxious time for many people, but there are some basic guidelines that will help you recover faster and feel better faster too.

What You Need to Do After a Tooth Extraction

You may feel tense and insecure after a tooth extraction. The feeling will pass, but it can take some time. One of the most important things you need to do after going through a tooth extraction is to take care of your oral health. Here are some things you should do to take care of your oral health after a tooth extraction.

Gauze Can be Your Best Friend

Tooth extractions can be a traumatic and painful experience. After the tooth has been removed, to help minimize blood and debris, it is recommended that you use gauze or cotton to help prevent infection. This is because there are many tiny blood vessels where the extraction has taken place. Gauze will also absorb any discharge from your mouth, which might contain bacteria. The gauze should be placed over the bleeding area.

Be Careful of What You Eat

When you have a tooth extracted, you will likely need something to eat following the extraction. It is important to stay hydrated and nourish your body after the extraction procedure. There are many foods that are good for this situation, including yogurt, soup, applesauce, yogurt, sandwiches with soft breads, mashed potatoes with gravy, or mashed sweet potatoes. Basically, anything that is soft in nature.

Things You Should Avoid Doing After a Tooth Extraction

After a tooth extraction, your oral health is very fragile. It is important you stay away from doing anything that would cause more harm to your mouth. Here are some things you should avoid doing after having a tooth extraction.

Avoid Certain Food Items

After having a tooth extraction, taking extra precautions when eating or drinking is important. Chips, hard candy, popcorn, and ice cream are all foods that should be avoided due to their difficulty in maneuvering them around the teeth without touching the gums. It is also necessary to avoid any chewing gum for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Mints are not advised either, as they can cause irritation in the area of the extraction.

Avoid Exercise 

When it comes to following proper aftercare instructions, there are a few things you should absolutely NOT do after getting a tooth extraction. It is important to ensure all bleeding and oozing has stopped before any chewing starts. If you have stitches, be sure to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities such as exercise, heavy lifting, and contact sports.

In Need of a Tooth Extraction

If you are in need of a tooth extraction, we are ready to help at Main Street Dental. Our industry-leading oral health providers provide state-of-the-art procedures designed for you to spend less time recovering and more time back to normal.

If you’re in the Gresham area, we’d love to have you in!

When it comes to things like tooth extraction in Gresham it is best for your overall oral health not to wait. Schedule an appointment with our general and family dentistry team by clicking Contact or call now: 503-665-8283.