Taking good care of yourself after a tooth extraction is one of the best ways to restore your smile and oral health. Your team at Topeka Dentistry is here to support you throughout your tooth extraction procedure and beyond into recovery.
Today, we're sharing some tips from our Topeka dentists to heal faster after a tooth extraction. Here's what you should know.
Top Tooth Extraction Care Tips
Immediately Following Surgery
Immediately after your surgery, our main goal is to stop the bleeding. You'll do this by biting down on gauze for 30 to 60 minutes after surgery, then replacing it with fresh gauze as needed. It is important to form a blood clot that will protect your extraction site during healing. Elevating your head during this time helps to minimize the bleeding. You can use ice packs for 15 minutes at a time to help reduce facial swelling.
Your dentist may prescribe medication for pain management after your tooth extraction, or you can use over-the-counter pain relievers.
The First 24 to 48 Hours
Rest is the most important gift to give yourself during this time. Take some time off from work, get plenty of sleep, and don't plan on exercise or vigorous activity for at least 72 hours after your surgery.
Eat soft, lukewarm foods for two to three days after surgery to avoid hurting your extraction site. Here are some ideas:
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Soup
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
Avoid drinking through a straw or smoking cigarettes for at least 72 hours after surgery to keep the blood clot intact for proper healing. Brush carefully around the extraction site and avoid hot beverages and hard, crunchy foods during this time.
Contact our team at (785) 266-9100 if you have questions or concerns about tooth extraction recovery in Topeka. We're here to help!