Kate's Fear of TMJ

Having A Tooth Removed? Know What To Expect Afterwards

Do you have an upcoming dental appointment to have one of your teeth removed? If so, you may feel a bit nervous about the whole procedure. While the procedure itself will likely be something you do not remember much of due to sedation, there is still all of the aftercare that you will have to deal with. Here are some things you should know about having a tooth extracted so that you have realistic expectations about what happens afterwards.

Swelling

One common side effect after a tooth extraction is swelling in the area where the procedure was done. You can treat swelling by using ice that is wrapped in a cloth so it does not make direct contact with your skin.

Pain

You'll likely experience some pain after the procedure, which will go away on its own after a few days. Ask your dentist about having a prescription-strength pain reliever to help you deal with the discomfort, or have some over-the-counter medication ready to go.

Bleeding

Your dentist will send you home with gauze to place over the extraction site. It is important to switch out the gauze with a new one when it becomes too soaked with blood. Make sure to have your head elevated when resting to help with blood circulation. You'll need a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding, so be sure to avoid any sort of action that can place pressure on the extraction site. Avoid using straws, which tend to put a lot of pressure on the inside of your mouth.

Rinsing

It will help to keep your extraction site clean by using a simple saltwater rinse solution. Thankfully, this is something that you can make on your own. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, then mix it up until the salt has completely dissolved in the water. Several times throughout the day, swish it around in your mouth and spit it out to keep the area clean.

Resting

You'll want to get plenty of rest after the extraction procedure so that your body can heal. Plan to take time off from work or school so that you can concentrate on just resting during those first few days. Do not exercise or do anything that can put stress on your body. After a day or two, you'll be ready to return back to your normal activities with reduced intensity.


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