If you have severe tooth decay or an impacted wisdom tooth, your dentist might recommend an extraction to protect your smile’s health. At Monroe Dental Arts, our dentists only recommend a tooth extraction if other treatments prove ineffective (as a last resort). Tooth extractions in Monroe Township, NJ, are gentle and stress-free with a skilled and compassionate team like ours.
Our caring team uses modern techniques with a personal touch to ensure your experience with us is comfortable and pleasant. Drs. Virdee, Mishriky, and Hanna are here to help you attain excellent oral health, which means they’ll be by your side before, during, and after your procedure.
Here are six tips for having a quick recovery after a tooth extraction.
1. Rest
Adequate rest after a tooth extraction is crucial, so please avoid strenuous activity or any tasks that require lifting heavy objects or bending over. These activities can increase your blood pressure and lead to bleeding at the tooth extraction site.
You can manage postoperative swelling and bleeding by propping your head on a pillow. Elevating your head allows the lymph nodes and blood to flow away from the surgery site, reduces inflammation, and promotes faster healing.
2. Eat Soft Foods
Nutrient-rich foods help your body heal and promote cell renewal. However, you must avoid chewy, crunchy, or hard foods that can irritate the wound. Soft foods are gentle around the extraction site, so we recommend eating fruit smoothies, lukewarm broths and blended soups, yogurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soft fish, avocado, and the like.
3. Avoid Smoking and Using a Straw
Smoking and using a straw creates negative pressure in the mouth that can dislodge the blood clot that forms over the tooth’s socket. If the blood clot dissolves or dislodges before it’s fully healed, it can lead to dry socket. Dry socket is a painful condition that means the underlying nerves and bones are exposed, and it can lead to severe infections and additional damage.
4. Cold Therapy
Slight swelling is common after a tooth extraction and can last for about a week. To reduce swelling, apply a cold pack outside your cheek near the extraction site at 15-minute intervals. Cold therapy is usually only effective within 48 hours after the procedure.
5. Take Over-the-Counter Medications As Directed
Once the anesthesia wears off, you might experience discomfort that lasts only a few days. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can help with this, but only take medication as directed. If you experience persistent pain, contact your dentist immediately, as this can indicate an underlying issue like an infection.
6. Keep Your Mouth Clean
Although you can’t brush or floss around the extraction site for the first couple of days, you can rinse your mouth with salt water to remove food debris and prevent infection. Gently rinse your mouth in the morning, evening, and after meals. You can brush and floss other areas of your mouth, but avoid spitting as this can dislodge the blood clot over the surgical site. Also, avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Gentle Tooth Extraction in Monroe Township, NJ
Our dental team is compassionate and experienced in providing gentle tooth extractions. Call us today to schedule a consultation with our dentists or for more information. We’re always happy to guide patients throughout their recovery!
