The best place for your teeth is in your mouth. As our dentist, Dr. Milad Nourahmadi, can tell you, it is always a good idea to save a tooth whenever possible. However, there are times when a tooth has become so diseased or damaged that it is no longer viable and unsafe to have in your mouth. When that happens, an extraction may be necessary.
Most people have no problem recovering after an extraction, and when the socket has healed they can go back to our dentists to discuss restoration options. However, complications can arise if you don’t take the proper steps after your appointment.
Eating may not be on the top of your mind after your visit to our dentists, but if you do get hungry, you should stick to eating cool, soft foods. If you need to chew, do so on the side of your mouth opposite the extraction. When you drink avoid using a straw since the suction could dislodge the protective blood clot that has formed in the socket. If you use tobacco, now would be a good time to quit, since tobacco can slow the healing process, and smoking can introduce bacteria to your mouth and spitting can aggravate the extraction area.
For the first 24 hours after the extraction, you can gently brush your other teeth but rinse the extraction area with a mixture of salt and water. If you experience swelling, apply an ice pack or cold compress to your cheek or jaw for 20 minutes at a time. An over-the counter pain reliever can help you to feel better, and if our dentists prescribes an antibiotic, take it as directed and make sure to finish the medication.
If you have an uncomfortable tooth in Bolingbrook, Franklin Park, Joliet, Plainfield, Riverside and Wheaton, Illinois, Shining Smiles LLC can help. Give us a call today at 630-972-4010 to schedule your appointment.