Post-Care for a Tooth Extraction

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth, or more specifically from its socket in the bone. There are many different reasons for needing a tooth removal but the post-operative care is basically the same. Directly after the appointment you will not want to get up right away. The reason for this is because a blood clot needs to have formed. If you get up too soon after the procedure and walk around this will provoke bleeding so it is important to sit still for a few minutes directly after the procedure is performed to make sure a blood cot has formed. Keeping pressure on the site by biting down on a piece of gauze will help stop the bleeding.

After leaving the dentist office you will want to make sure you keep calm and do not perform any strenuous activity for the next couple of hours. More activity can be resumed the following day, but you will still want to be cautious and not do anything too physically straining for the next few days. Some persistent bleeding is normal, but if the site continues to bleed even after about 45-minutes of direct pressure on the abrasion your dentist should be called.

There will be some pain after the procedure as well. If it is a simple tooth extraction an over-the-counter pain medication can be taken such as ibuprofen, Advil, or Tylenol. If the extraction was more difficult your dentist may prescribe a more serious pain medication. Usually the pain dissipates after a couple of days. If your face becomes swollen, ice packs can be beneficial in reducing the swelling. Try to also stick to eating cool and soft foods as to not irritate the site. Stick to these tips and you should have minimal recovery time and be able to get back to your normal activities without any complications.