Dental Tips |3 min read

What Comes After a Tooth Extraction? 5 Important Things to Remember

Neighborhood Dental by Neighborhood Dental

5 Important Things to Remember After Tooth Extraction

At Neighborhood Dental, we strive to provide exceptional care to all of our patients, whether you’re visiting one of our nine convenient locations across South Dakota and Nebraska. Tooth extraction, while a common procedure, requires proper post-care to ensure smooth healing and avoid complications. If you’ve recently had a tooth removed, here are five essential things to remember:

  1. Keep the Gauze in Place

    Bleeding is normal after any extraction. After your tooth is extracted, your Neighborhood dentist will place gauze over the extraction site. Keeping the gauze in place for at least 30-45 minutes is important. This helps promote clot formation and reduces the risk of bleeding. If bleeding continues after removing the gauze, place another clean gauze and apply gentle pressure. Some oozing of blood and discoloration of saliva is to be expected.

  2. Avoid Straws and Smoking

    Sucking on a straw or smoking can dislodge the blood clot, leading to a painful condition known as dry socket. To prevent this, refrain from using straws and smoking for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure. Staying hydrated is important, but stick to sipping water directly from a glass.

  3. Stick to Soft Foods

    In the first 24 hours after your extraction, avoid hard, chewy, or spicy foods. Opt for soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies (without a straw), or applesauce. If food does get lodged into the extraction site, leave it alone. It will either be incorporated into the clot or expelled on its own. Gradually reintroduce solid foods as your extraction site heals and your comfort level increases.

  4. Manage Swelling and Pain

    It’s common to experience some swelling after tooth extraction. Applying a cold compress to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling. Additionally, your dentist will likely prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter options to manage discomfort. Follow their instructions carefully.

  5. Keep the Extraction Site Clean

    Good oral hygiene is essential after a tooth extraction. However, avoid brushing directly over the extraction site for the first couple of days. DO NOT rinse mouth with mouth wash. Instead, gently rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution (1 tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after 24 hours to keep the area clean and promote healing.

Replacing Missing Teeth: Why Dental Implants Might Be the Right Choice

Once you’ve successfully healed from a tooth extraction, it’s important to think about replacing the missing tooth. One of the most effective solutions is dental implants. At Neighborhood Dental, we offer dental implants as a permanent, natural-looking option to restore your smile.

Why Choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a long-term solution that mimics the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth. They provide a range of benefits, including:

  • Durability: Implants are designed to last for decades with proper care.
  • Improved Oral Health: Replacing a missing tooth prevents adjacent teeth from shifting and helps maintain your jawbone’s structure.
  • Natural Appearance: Implants are custom-made to match your surrounding teeth, so they blend seamlessly into your smile.
  • Enhanced Comfort: Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanently secured in your mouth, providing comfort and stability.

If you’ve had a tooth extraction and are considering a replacement option, dental implants are a reliable choice to restore both function and aesthetics. Talk to one of our experts at Neighborhood Dental to see if dental implants are the right fit for you. Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants

Our teams are committed to ensuring your oral health remains in top shape even after a procedure like tooth extraction. If you experience any unusual symptoms or have concerns during your recovery (severe pain, excessive bleeding, or any unusual development), don’t hesitate to reach out to your nearest location:

Besides these locations, we’re also proud to serve the surrounding areas, including Vermillion, Elk Point, Canton, Parker, Alcester, Hartford, Dell Rapids, Renner, Hartington, Tyndall, Crofton, Worthington, and Lennox.

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