Tooth extractions don't have to be stressful when you have a trusted dental team to work with before, during, and after your procedure, throughout your recovery. That's why today we'll cover how to have a smooth tooth extraction recovery in Prairieville, Louisiana.
Tooth Extraction Recovery: The First 24 Hours
It's normal to have some pain, bleeding, swelling, and bruising during the first few days after oral surgery, as the anesthetics wear off. Here are some tips to manage the first 24 hours:
- Bite on gauze — To help contain the bleeding, bite down on gauze pads, changing them out until the bleeding stops.
- Minimize swelling — You can use an ice pack on your cheek for 20 minutes on and off to help reduce facial swelling.
- Plenty of rest — You'll need to rest for the remainder of the day and maybe for a few days to help promote healing.
- Elevated sleep — Sleeping with an extra pillow or sitting up can help to reduce bleeding and swelling.
- Don't use a straw — Don't drink from a straw or smoke cigarettes for the first 72 hours after surgery to help keep your blood clot intact.
Managing the Next Few Days
You should start to feel better over the next few days. Here are some tips to keep you on the smooth road to recovery:
- Eat soft foods — Rely on foods such as applesauce, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, or other soft foods for the first few days after surgery. Be sure to eat foods at room temperature to avoid irritating your extraction site.
- Warm saltwater rinses — Use half a teaspoon of salt in warm water to gently rinse your mouth two or three times a day.
- Brush carefully — You should continue brushing after oral surgery. Just be gentle around the extraction site.
If bleeding or pain persists after oral surgery, don't hesitate to contact our team for guidance.