What should I do to help the wound heal faster?

When having a tooth extracted, remember to ask your dentist any questions about the procedure and follow their aftercare instructions. To minimize pain and promote faster healing, keep the following in mind.

Avoid touching the wound with your tongue after a tooth extraction, as this can slow down healing.

Don't touch the wound.

It's common to feel something different in your mouth after having one or more teeth extracted. However, you should avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

The wound will be sealed by a blood clot. Even a small bump from the tongue can dislodge this blood clot and slow down wound healing. Worse, bacteria can easily enter the wound and increase the risk of infection.

Be careful when brushing your teeth and use dental floss.

Brushing and flossing are essential for preventing cavities and gum disease. After a tooth extraction, this habit becomes even more important as it helps reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and prevent infection.

However, because there are wounds in the mouth, brushing and flossing require extreme caution to avoid touching the wounds. Whether brushing or flossing, the movements should be gentle and slow.

Avoid using mouthwash.

Even if you have bad breath, you should avoid using mouthwash after a tooth extraction, especially alcohol-based mouthwash. This is because forceful rinsing and spitting can reopen the wound. If bad breath persists for several days, you should see a dentist.

Do not smoke or drink alcohol.

Experts advise against smoking or drinking alcohol within 24 hours before a tooth extraction, as both alcohol and tobacco slow down the healing process.

Alcohol can make tooth extractions more difficult, for example by hindering the body's absorption of anesthesia. Patients also experience more bleeding if they have alcohol in their blood. Meanwhile, smoking can increase the rate of complications during tooth extraction and increase the risk of infection afterward.

Cold compress

Applying a cold compress to the cheek, right where the tooth was extracted, can help reduce swelling, speed up healing, and alleviate discomfort. Using an over-the-counter pain reliever can also help manage the pain.

However, if applying a cold compress causes itching or pain, you should stop applying it and inform your dentist. If everything goes smoothly, the extraction wound will heal within a week, according to Healthline.

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