When having a tooth extracted, it is important to ask your dentist any questions you may have about the procedure, and to follow your dentist’s instructions for caring for your tooth. To reduce pain and speed up recovery, keep the following in mind.
Avoid touching the wound with your tongue after tooth extraction as this can slow healing.
Don't touch the wound
Feeling strange in your mouth after having one or more teeth extracted is inevitable. However, you should avoid touching the wound left by tooth extraction with your tongue, according to the health website Healthline (USA).
The wound will be sealed with a blood clot. A small bump from the tongue can also dislodge this blood clot and slow down the healing of the wound. Worse, bacteria can easily enter the wound and increase the risk of infection.
Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth.
Brushing and flossing are essential to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. After a tooth extraction, this is even more important because it helps reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and prevent infection.
However, because there is a wound in the mouth, you need to be very careful when brushing your teeth or flossing, avoiding touching the wound. Whether brushing your teeth or flossing, the movements should be gentle and slow.
Avoid using mouthwash
Even if you have bad breath, you should avoid using mouthwash after tooth extraction, especially mouthwash containing alcohol. Because the action of rinsing and spitting vigorously can cause the wound to open. In case the bad breath persists for several days, you should see a dentist.
No smoking, no drinking
Experts advise against smoking or drinking alcohol within 24 hours before tooth extraction. Because both alcohol and tobacco slow down the wound healing process.
Alcohol can make tooth extraction more difficult, for example by making it harder for the body to absorb anesthesia. Patients also bleed more if they have alcohol in their blood. Meanwhile, smoking can increase the risk of complications during tooth extraction and increase the risk of infection afterward.
Cold compress
Applying a cold compress to the cheek where the tooth was extracted can help reduce swelling, speed healing, and ease discomfort. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can also help control pain.
However, if the cold compress causes itching or pain, you should stop using the cold compress and notify your dentist. If all goes well, the tooth extraction wound should heal within a week, according to Healthline.
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