Post Extraction Care

I always wish to save a natural tooth.But if for some reason one has to undergo a tooth EXTRACTION (removal) it's important to understand

• How the healing takes place
• What to expect
• Dos and Donts

Many times patient feels that after extracting the painful tooth pain will vanish..But that's not true!!! If proper care is not taken and instructions are not followed correctly the pain doesn't go but instead multiplies.

So let's understand healing after extraction of the tooth. After a tooth is extracted bleeding starts (which is necessary)and fills the vacant space in the bone. A clot is formed and plugs the wound.Mild ooze and taste of blood is normal.The clot formed is essential for initiating healing..It acts like scaffold to form new bone. Cold will reduce bleeding and heat will increase the bleeding..Hence after extraction cold food is advised to avoid excess bleeding..

Now after clot has formed care should be taken to preserve the clot.Hence spitting is to be avoided completely. Spitting causes loss of clot. The cotton dressing placed is to be removed after 30-45 mins..Anything more than this causes the clot to stick to the cotton and goes away with the dressing when it's removed causing loss of clot.This creates a situation where bone is bare and is called DRY SOCKET.Dry socket is a very painful condition and requires dentist visit to treat it.

After 24 hours the clot stabilizes, chances of it losing by spitting and gargling is reduced.Hence after 24 hours mild rinsing with warm saline water is recommended. Warmth aids in better circulation and salt acts like a disinfectant. Within 7-10 days a very delicate tissue is formed which seals the wounds completely..Avoid touching wound with finger and tongue as this delicate tissue is disrupted.It takes 6-12 weeks for bony healing.However well initiated healing is painfree.Its the 1st 24 hours which are primary in successful healing. Sometimes extraction which were difficult or time consuming or surgical can cause pain and swelling which can be controlled by medication.

So to sum it up

• Remove cotton dressing after 30-45 minutes
• Donot spit or gargles for 24 hrs
• Whatever mild blood ooze or saliva is felt it's to be swallowed
• Eat cold and soft food for 24 hrs
• After 24 hrs start with warm saline gargles.
• Remember local anesthesia is administered hence avoid biting lip/cheek as you may bite hard and not know causing painful wound.
• If stitches are given visit after 7 days.