Tooth Extractions in Rothschild

Recovering

From A Tooth Extraction

When recovering from a tooth extraction, the most important thing you can do is follow Dr. Skutak’s directions for recovery. She will give you detailed instructions about the recovery process when you leave our Rothschild office.

You will experience the most discomfort for 1-2 days following surgery, and you will typically be given prescription medication to help mitigate this discomfort. Occasional bleeding and swelling is common for 3-5 days after the procedure, and should subside within a week. Pain should also subside within a week.

If you are experiencing pain and bleeding after a week, contact Dr. Skutak for a follow-up, to ensure that you are not experiencing any potentially serious complications.

Proper Tooth Extraction

Aftercare To Support Healing

Bleeding - After having a tooth extracted, you will experience minor bleeding for 48-72 hours. Bleeding that persists for longer than this or is excessive is not normal and can be a sign of peri-implantitis or mucositis in which case you should contact us right away. 
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After your extraction, you’ll bite down on the gauze for 30-60 minutes. You should change the gauze before it becomes soaked, and should dampen the fresh gauze before placing it in your mouth. If bleeding persists, try biting down on a wet caffeinated tea bag instead. The tannic acid promotes blood clotting.
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Swelling - Swelling will peak 2-3 days after the extraction and can be relieved by applying a cold compress to the area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Keeping your head elevated when you sleep will reduce swelling. 
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Pain - You may feel some pain or tenderness after an extraction. Take any prescribed medication or anti-inflammatory pain medication to help reduce swelling. This discomfort should only last for about 3 days.
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Diet - You’ll need to stick to a diet of soft foods for at least the first week. You should also chew on the opposite side of your mouth, away from the site of the extraction. For the first 24 hours, you should abstain from drinking alcohol as it can prevent blood clot formation.
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Avoiding Dry Socket - There are many things you’ll need to avoid, especially in the first 24 hours, to avoid dislodging blood clots which can cause a painful dry socket. For the first 24 hours, avoid all forms of suction such as smoking, sucking through a straw, and spitting. When rinsing your mouth, do not spit it out, just lean over the sink and let the liquid drip out. 
You shouldn’t brush or floss your teeth until the day after the extraction and even then you should avoid the site of the extraction. Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least one day.

The day after the extraction, you can begin rinsing your mouth with a prescription mouth rinse or a lukewarm saltwater solution 3 times a day.

Should I

Replace An Extracted Tooth?

You should always have a missing tooth replaced unless the extracted teeth are wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the third permanent molars that we don’t need and often need to be extracted because they don’t grow in properly. However, when extracting the other teeth, you will suffer from many consequences if you don’t replace the tooth. 
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Your other teeth will shift and lean into the space, you will have jaw bone loss, and changes will occur to your facial structure, including facial sagging. You may have orthodontic issues from your teeth shifting, which can cause crooked teeth. By placing a dental implant at our Rothschild dental office, you can preserve the jaw bone and prevent all of the associated issues with shifting teeth.

Can I

Smoke After A Tooth Extraction?

You should avoid smoking for at least 3 days after having a tooth extracted, but ideally, you shouldn’t smoke at all. Smoking can cause many issues with your healing and overall health besides increasing your risk of developing lung cancer. 
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You need to avoid all forms of suction for the first 24 hours and inhaling smoke from a cigarette can dislodge your blood clots. Smoking also constricts blood vessels and causes inflammation which will prolong the healing process. Smokers are also 3 times as likely to suffer from gum disease.