Losing a tooth due to extraction is never easy. Your dentist made sure you didn’t feel any pain after he had your tooth removed. Aside from that, he also shared with you tooth extraction aftercare tips so you know what to do and what to avoid.
Why tooth extraction aftercare is important?
Any type of surgical procedure that a patient undergoes has risks that go with it. Any delay in your healing may lead to further repercussions such as infections in the mouth. Without caring for yourself after the surgical procedure exposes you to be susceptible to tooth extraction infection. You don’t have to worry about it since your dentist will provide post-care instructions to get you covered.
Here’s a list of what you need to avoid after the procedure.
5 Things you must not do after tooth extraction
Consuming hot food and drinks
Avoid eating drinks or food that are hot especially within two to six hours after dental extraction. At this time, you may still feel numb from the local anesthesia given to you. Hence, your tongue or lips could not feel any kind of sensation. You may end up with a burnt tongue or lips if you’re not mindful of this.
Drinking alcohol
One of the tooth extraction aftercare instructions was for you to avoid the wound to bleed at all costs. Drinking alcohol within the first 24 hours greatly contributes to the possibility of the bleeding of the extraction site. Furthermore, it will delay the healing of the tooth extraction site and prevent blood clotting. Don’t attempt to neglect this so as not to cause any tooth extraction infection. Help yourself out recover as quickly as possible.
Doing physical activity
Presumably, your dentist must have added an important reminder, restraining you from doing any form of physical activity. This should be followed within the next 72 hours after the procedure. When you’re working out or playing sports, your heart pumps blood faster which might dislodge the blood clot. Instead of allowing the socket to completely heal, you’re only disrupting it by engaging in strenuous activities.
Smoking
Another important tooth extraction aftercare instruction you must heed is to stop smoking, even for at least 24 hours. Smoking increases your blood pressure which will not promote faster healing.
Skipping follow up checkup
To ensure that you avoid a tooth extraction infection, visit your dentist after seven days after the procedure. He needs to see your progress on recovery. If you show any signs of inflammation, he’ll find out what causes it and treat it as soon as possible. Lastly, your dentist will discuss your best restorative treatment after you had a tooth extraction in London, Ontario.
