Your permanent teeth are supposed to last a lifetime. However, there are unavoidable cases where removal would be necessary. The most common reason for a tooth extraction is the damage caused by decay. Although your dentist puts a high priority in saving your teeth, severe deterioration will immediately require an extraction. A severely damaged tooth that’s not removed can lead to more severe cases including an infection. However, oral care does not stop there. You need to strictly follow a tooth extraction aftercare for faster healing. This way, a tooth infection is avoided.

Why is tooth extraction necessary?

Dentists are experts in identifying whether pulling out a tooth is needed. Your dentist performs a tooth extraction in London Ontario to remove the diseased tooth from its socket. Tooth decay and impacted wisdom tooth are the common reasons why this procedure is necessary. Other causes of extraction include teeth overcrowding, infections and gum diseases.

This procedure will leave an open wound from the socket after the tooth was extracted. An open wound inside the mouth is more susceptible to bacterial exposure. Preventing a tooth extraction infection is the main reason why an extraction aftercare is necessary.

There are extraction procedures wherein your dentist would require a bone grafting surgery. The patient should be careful to follow the aftercare tips to prevent any swelling or discomfort while the bone graft is healing. Although a simple extraction does not involve bone grafting, aftercare is still necessary step to ensure that your gums are completely healed. Here are a few things to remember after you have your tooth removed.

• Expectations after the extraction

Every dentist provides a tooth extraction aftercare to ensure that his patient is free from infection. However, there are symptoms that will arise while you are healing from the tooth extraction procedure. Discomfort, swelling and bleeding are to be expected after the extraction is made.

You will feel discomfort for the first 24 hours especially after the anesthesia wears off. It might be longer than usual if a bone grafting procedure was also done after the extraction. Your dentist would prescribe you with pain relievers to get you through the healing process. However, if you feel there’s an unusual huge discomfort in the next couple of days, it might be a sign of an infection. You have to get in touch with your dentist as soon as you can so he provide the necessary medication.

Swelling is also a natural healing reaction of your gums, which usually occurs on the second day after the procedure. However, if swelling does not subside after 72 hours, you need contact your dentist immediately. This may indicate a possible tooth extraction infection.Bleeding on the extraction site is normal within the first 24 hours. However, an excessive bleeding may call for an emergency care. Contact your dentist immediately to see what’s causing the excessive bleeding.

• Diet and exercise

During the first 24 hours, your dentist will advise you to stick to cold food such as vegetable or fruit smoothie. This tooth extraction aftercare will aid in ensuring that swelling is avoided. After the first 24 hours, you can eat soft food at a warmer temperature. Avoid eating hard food as this might disrupt the blood clotting on the extraction site.

Avoid doing exercise after you have your tooth removed. Rigorous activities such as running will increase your pulse rate and cause the extraction area to bleed due. To avoid tooth extraction infection, it is important for the wound to clot as soon as possible. This will help the extraction site to heal properly.

Proper healing and avoiding an infection are the main purpose on why you need to follow these aftercare tips. It is an important step to ensure that you recover fast and can go on with your daily routine in no time. To know more about teeth extraction aftercare, you can call your local dentist anytime.