After getting a tooth extraction, the place where the tooth was will be covered with a blood clot your body creates. This blood clot plays a very important role in the healing process, as it protects the area while it heals.
Having the blood clot removed or dislodged, or not having it from the beginning, is a complication of tooth extractions called alveolar osteitis. To prevent this condition, and to make the healing process faster and more effective, here are some tips you can apply after the extraction.
Clean Your Mouth Carefully
After an extraction, you should resume brushing and flossing as normal. However, extra care is needed at least for 48 hours after the procedure, as you don’t want to touch the socket or dislodge the blood clot when cleaning your teeth. Avoid sucking water or pushing it around the mouth too forcibly.
Avoid Drinking with a Straw
While using a straw may seem like a good idea, since it directs the liquid further inside your mouth, it can actually cause a dry socket. When you drink with a straw, the suction you create with your mouth muscles can dislodge the blood clot and expose your extraction area to infection and slow healing.
Avoid Smoking After the Extraction
Just as the suction you create when drinking with a straw, the act of inhaling the smoke in a cigarette can cause the blood clot to move and expose the area to infection and bleeding. Also, the chemicals you ingest when smoking make your body less able to heal itself, and more prone to infection. Reduce the amount of cigarettes you smoke for two weeks after the extraction, and stay away from smoking entirely for at least 48 hours post-extraction.
Be Aware of the Effects of Other Medication
Certain medications, like oral contraceptives, aspirin, or blood-thinners can interfere with the healing process after a tooth extraction. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medication you are on at the moment of the extraction. You might need to interrupt them during the healing process, as they can weaken the blood clot or even prevent it from forming in the first place.
Following each step of the aftercare instructions provided by your doctor is important for your healing process, and will maximize the success of the whole procedure. Monitor the area and contact the dentist if you notice anything unusual.
Book Your Appointment with Us
When preparing for a tooth extraction, ask your doctor to explain the whole process and instruct you about the aftercare. All the staff at SouthEnd Dentistry will take their time to explain it all step-by-step and to intervene in case there is any complication, like dry socket.
Contact SouthEnd Dentistry for an appointment and get your tooth extraction done by experts, in a friendly and high-quality environment.
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