If you have an impacted wisdom tooth or a severely decayed tooth, then you may need oral surgery to safely remove it. A tooth extraction is often a last resort if all other tooth-saving options have failed. As such, it may be the only way to save and restore the health of your smile. After getting a tooth pulled, you’ll need to know about healing a tooth extraction properly.
At Texas Oral Surgery Specialists, Dr. Chris L. Tye provides opioid-free oral surgery solutions to patients in Colleyville, TX, and the surrounding areas. With years of experience, advanced technology, and contemporary techniques, Dr. Tye and his team can help you get relief from impacted or decayed teeth. Call (817) 552-3223 or send us a message here to request your appointment now.
If you’ve recently had a tooth pulled, then you may be wondering how to facilitate your recovery for faster healing. Here, Dr. Tye and his knowledgeable team discuss five tips for healing a tooth extraction faster so that you can get back to your regular routine.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
It’s common for patients to feel as if they can resume their regular activities immediately after oral surgery. However, the body needs time to form a blood clot at the surgical site to begin the healing process. Strenuous activity causes blood pressure to rise, which can interrupt a clot formation and make wound healing more difficult.
Therefore, patients should take it easy for approximately 48 to 72 hours following their procedure. This means that patients should avoid demanding activities, like vigorous exercise, bending over, or lifting heavy objects. Instead, get plenty of rest with the head elevated to encourage proper wound healing.
2. Opt for Softer Foods
Safely healing a tooth extraction requires patients to alter their diets for one to two weeks following their procedures. Patients should avoid excessively hard, sharp, or sticky foods, as these items can dislodge blood clots or pull out sutures. Rather, patients should reach for softer foods, such as:
- Soups and stews
- Protein or meal-replacement shakes
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
3. Avoid Suction
One of the largest obstacles patients face while healing a tooth extraction is a dry socket. A dry socket is a condition in which a blood clot dissolves or gets dislodged before the wound is completely healed. With the protective clot gone, the underlying nerve and bone tissue are exposed, which can cause extreme pain.
Suction (like drinking through a straw or smoking a cigarette) can easily dislodge a newly formed clot. Subsequently, Dr. Tye and his team recommend avoiding straws and smoking for approximately one to two weeks after a tooth extraction.
4. Use Ice Packs and Over-the-counter Painkillers
Healing a tooth extraction can be painful and result in some swelling. However, using ice packs and over-the-counter painkillers can greatly reduce pain and swelling, which can speed up recovery.
Try applying ice packs to the side of the face for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and taking over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen for approximately 48 to 72 hours after oral surgery.
5. Don’t Forget Good Oral Hygiene
Patients should avoid disturbing the surgical site after a tooth extraction. However, patients should still conduct daily oral hygiene to prevent infections and complications while healing.
So, patients should still gently brush twice daily and carefully floss once daily. Additionally, an antiseptic mouthwash can enhance the effects of brushing and flossing while healing a tooth extraction.
Schedule a Consultation Now
If you think that you may need a tooth extraction to save your oral health, then contact the team at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists now. We can help you remove it and offer tips for healing a tooth extraction faster. Patients can reach our Colleyville dental office at (817) 552-3223 or online here.
