Tooth extractions can be a somewhat messy business if the right steps aren’t taken to ensure a successful and clean operation. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary steps to make sure your own procedure goes off without a hitch. Below, we look at what to avoid after a tooth extraction.
Just as important as the steps to take are the steps to avoid. By avoiding the right substances and habits directly following a tooth extraction, you can ensure that you hold on to your results for a longer period of time.
What to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction
If you have a tooth extraction planned, take a look at this overview of the best things to avoid after a tooth extraction.
What Occurs During a Tooth Extraction?
During a tooth extraction, a dentist removes a troublesome tooth that is causing a patient distress of some kind. This can include teeth that are diseased or decayed in some fashion. Tooth extractions are sometimes the only option for patients who have teeth that threaten the rest of their health in certain ways. Tooth extractions are also enacted on teeth that have been impacted by blunt force in some way.
During a tooth extraction, local anesthesia is applied to the mouth in order to numb the otherwise intense pain that is possible for the patient. After this, a dentist may need to make small incisions surrounding the gums in order to access the tooth. This is especially true if the tooth has broken off at the gum line.
Once the extraction process is complete, your dentist will place a piece of gauze over the site of extraction. This helps to slow bleeding, and is designed to induce a blood clot. This is additionally important for preventing the formation of dry sockets. Despite this, some bleeding is to be expected during this process for the first few days after your procedure.
Things to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction:
Following your dentist’s directions regarding your recovery process is absolutely paramount. Take extra care when they give you directions on things to avoid, like the following substances and activities.
1. Smoking
Smoking is hazardous for your health in general, but smoking after a tooth extraction is extra dangerous. smoking can increase your risk of developing a condition known as dry socket, which has the potential to create massive amounts of pain in a patient. On top of this, smoking can slow down your natural healing process. In general, it’s best to abstain for at least 24 hours after your extraction.
2. Drinking Through Straws
Drinking through drinking straws has the potential to create suction in the area surrounding your tooth extraction area. This increases your risk of developing dry socket as well, and can additionally slow down the healing process. Therefore, you should avoid using a straw for at least 24 hours after your initial tooth extraction.
3. Eating Hard or Crunchy Foods
Hard or crunchy foods can impact your results in precisely the wrong way following your tooth extraction. They have the potential to irritate the extraction site and delay healing, so overall, it is best to avoid them until your mouth has had time to recover. In general, it’s best to aim to eat soft foods like yams or mashed potatoes in the days following your procedure.
4. Participate in Strenuous Exercise
Participating in overly strenuous exercise can also be hazardous for your results. For the first few days following your tooth extraction, this is another activity that can lead to dry sockets and delay the healing process from your procedure. Examples include high-impact sports such as wrestling or football. If you have to engage in physical activity, then you should stick to light exercises such as jogging or walking. This should postpone anything interfering with your healing process.
5. Drink Alcohol
Excessive drinking has the potential to slow down your body’s healing process significantly. It also inhibits the body’s potential to produce blood clots, which is considered an essential part of the recuperation process. In general, it’s thought to be best to avoid drinking certain alcoholic drinks such as beer or wine, which are acidic and can cause irritation in your tooth extraction area.
Your Trusted Dentist in Montclair
Monte Vista Dental Group is one of the most highly regarded dentists for tooth extraction in Montclair. If you’re interested in receiving some type of consultation regarding a tooth extraction, contact our cosmetic dentist today in order to schedule an appointment, and get the ball rolling on restoring your teeth to their best condition.