Having a tooth extracted is never a very pleasant experience. We hope, however, that we have done all we can to make it a little more bearable. By following a few simple rules, you can do a lot to encourage a speedy recovery.
TODAY
Avoid hard physical activity. If possible go home, sit down and relax for the rest of the day.
Leave your mouth alone and allow a good blood clot to form.
Do not rinse or gargle in an attempt to clean out the blood.
Excess bleeding...If you are getting more than a small ooze of blood into your mouth and if it is not slowing, apply pressure to the socket by rolling up a cotton handkerchief or any similar material, place it directly onto the socket and bite firmly for 30 minutes. It is important that you are sitting, rather than lying down or standing while you do this. If it does not work, repeat once for a further 30 minutes. If it isn't clotting then telephone us...01773762786.for Church view and 01159 475231 for the Derby road dental practice.
Eating and drinking. Soft foods, Luke warm or cold drinks taken in small mouthfuls are acceptable.
Pain. This varies from person to person and obviously depends upon the type of extraction undertaken. If you are having pain, take whatever you would take for a headache, but NOT aspirin or anything with aspirin in it. (Aspirin actually reduces the formation of blood clots).
No alcohol.
No smoking...You must avoid smoking for as long as possible after your extraction as smoking will delay the healing process.
TOMORROW AND BEYOND
From tomorrow onwards; Rinse your mouth out with either corsodyl mouthwash or HOT salty water (three heaped teaspoons per glassful) as often as possible, AT LEAST three times per day. Do this for as long as the dentist tells you to, usually until the socket has healed.
It is normal to feel some pain after the anaesthetic wears off. For 24 hours after having a tooth out, you should also expect some swelling and residual bleeding.
It usually takes gum tissue about 3-4 weeks to heal, however having a tooth missing can cause the remaining teeth to move, affecting your bite and making it difficult to chew.
You may feel the Sharpe edge of the socket with your tongue and sometimes, little bits of bone may make their way to the surface and work their way out. If pain starts to get worse after two days, this could be a sign of a dry socket, this occurs when the blood clot for healing become dislodged or does not form. Dry socket delays healing and can be very painful, if this happens see your dentist, the socket may need dressing and your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
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