When can you remove the gauze after a tooth extraction

The Do’s and Don’ts after a Tooth Extraction

What is a tooth extraction?

Table of Contents Show

The Do’s and Don’ts after a Tooth Extraction
Six Things To Do For A Comfortable Wisdom Tooth Extraction
1. Have a Friend With You
2. Dealing With the Bleeding
3. Managing the Physical Discomfort
4. Preventing a Dry Socket
5. Take Your Antibiotics
6. Choose the Right Oral Surgeon
Does gauze prevent dry socket?
Do you remove gauze to eat after tooth extraction?
Can you leave gauze in mouth for too long?

The term refers to the painless removal of a tooth or tooth roots with minimum trauma to the surrounding tissues so that the extraction socket wound heals uneventfully and without any post-operative complications. Whenever any surgery takes place the first thing we want is to let it heal properly, quickly and smoothly. As a common practice, most of the dental surgeons have standard post-surgery instructions printed which are handed over to the patient. One must follow these instructions given by the dentist. Following all the post-operative instructions after tooth extraction reduces the incidence of infection and chances of dry socket. If aftercare instructions are not followed then it can cause complications, which can further lead to delayed healing. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts after a tooth extraction.

Do’s:

Rest: Try to get some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise or do too much activity for at least 24 hours. When resting, keep your head in a slightly upright position on the pillow.
Let it clot:Let the clot be formed on the tooth extraction site, which covers it and allows it to heal. After the procedure your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on near the extraction site. Try to bite down and keep it in place for at least an hour afterwards. This will put pressure over the wound and help it to stop bleeding. However, make sure you don’t chew on gauze piece. If you can keep it in place longer that’s best, but make sure to change the gauze after roughly every half hour, depending on the amount of bleeding. If once the clot forms it becomes dislodge the nerve endings then become exposed. The nerves and capillaries spasm and constrict, limiting essential blood supply, which causes delay in healing. If the bleeding persists for a few hours after the procedure then try putting a wet tea bag on the site. The tannic acid present in black tea helps to aide in the clotting process.
Ice Packs: Apply an ice pack on the side of your face where surgery was performed. This is done to reduce swelling. While on simple extractions swelling isn’t accompanied, in cases requiring severe cheek retractions swelling can occur after operation. The swelling after an extraction may not occur immediately, but can continue to swell for a few days, reaching a maximum at the 2nd or 3rd day. Application of the ice pack is most effective during the day of extraction as after 24 hours there is no significant beneficial effect. Ice packs should be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1-2 hour time periods.

Don’ts:

Don’t smoke:For at least 48 hours after tooth extraction do not smoke. The chemicals in the smoke can affect the clot and hence the chances of developing dry socket 3-4 days after tooth extraction increases.
Don’t eat solids immediately after: While you still have numbness it’s best not to eat solids. When you start feeling your jaws you can start taking solids. After tooth extraction, take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc.
Warm saline rinses: The main aim of rinsing is to clean the area of extraction as it is not possible to brush the socket. We mix salt to make the solution isotonic and similar to natural tissue fluid and thus it is less irritating than water. Rinsing is usually advised 12 hours after extraction. So, warm saline rinses help in cleaning and maintaining the hygiene of that area.
Take your medicines as prescribed by your dentist: Don’t skip the medicines. If antibiotics are given they should be taken regularly. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are to be taken after tooth extraction. It help in reducing the pain and swelling. If the pain continues even after two days of tooth extraction and bleeding starts then you should call your dentist.
Avoid Aspirin: Don’t ever take aspirin (Can take ibuprofen). Aspiring being a blood thinner will delay in clot formation thereby will prevent healing. Take the medications as prescribed by the physician and consult your dentist before taking any medicine.
Avoid Sucking of any type: SMOKING, SIPPING, EATING HARD VEGETABLES are to be avoided after tooth extraction. Try taking soft and liquid food options such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc. after tooth extraction. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, etc.
Don’t poke into the gap created: Though for initial few days, it will feel a bit awkward to have a gap but don’t poke that area with any toothpick or tongue as it may delay healing, may provoke bleeding and can also lead to dry socket.

Six Things To Do For A Comfortable Wisdom Tooth Extraction

After your wisdom tooth extraction, your recovery period begins. Because of modern tools and techniques oral surgery, the healing process is the shortest it has ever been. Here are some helpful tips to keep your recovery as quickly and as comfortable as you can.

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1. Have a Friend With You

You are not going to feel like driving after your surgery and we certainly don’t recommend it. So on the day of your surgery, plan to have a friend give you a ride. If someone else can handle the driving, the prescription, and the many little chores involved, you can focus on your recovery and your comfort.

2. Dealing With the Bleeding

When the surgery is over, the first thing you might notice is the bleeding. Since the surgeon has to make an opening in the gums for a wisdom tooth extraction, you can expect a fair amount of blood. Luckily your surgeon will give you plenty of gauze to staunch the bleeding. Try not to change the gauze out unless it’s bleeding through. The more you disturb the mouth by swapping out the gauze, the longer it will take to stop the bleeding.

If the bleeding doesn’t stop, try adjusting the gauze. The gauze should press against the spots that are bleeding, not just floating nearby to soak up excess blood. Don’t pick at the spot.

Some people have better luck switching to a damp teabag after using gauze to stop most of the bleeding. The tea leaves can encourage clotting and reduce the discomfort in the back of the mouth.

3. Managing the Physical Discomfort

A wisdom tooth extraction is still a surgery, so physical discomfort after the procedure is normal. But you can take steps to lessen the discomfort. First, you may want to take ibuprofen even before the surgery starts. If you wait until you feel like you need it, the discomfort will last longer. Always tell your doctor what medication you’ve taken, so they know what might interfere with your anesthesia.

Plenty of bed rest is still the best course for recovery. After a day, some people will start to feel well enough to resume their daily functions. But others will need longer before going back to their normal routine. Try not to strain yourself; you’ll only make it worse if you exert yourself too early.

4. Preventing a Dry Socket

When the wisdom tooth is removed, the hole where the tooth used to be is called a socket. Typically, a blood clot will form in the socket to protect the sensitive nerves below and encourage healing. But if the clot is dislodged for any reason, a dry socket forms.

Dry sockets are unpleasant post-surgery complications. But they are very preventable. Violent actions like swirling, spitting, or sucking through a straw can all dislodge the blood clot. It does not take much force to cause a dry socket.

Brush gently, eat gently and avoid smoking while you recover. Keeping your head inclined also helps. By following your surgeon’s advice, you will save yourself the needless discomfort of a dry socket.

5. Take Your Antibiotics

If you feel comfortable enough to wean yourself from any prescription or an over-the-counter anesthetic, you can do so without bothering your recovery. But don’t take the same approach with your antibiotics.

Antibiotics fight the risk of infection after surgery. Just because you feel well and recovered, the chances of an infection linger around even after the discomfort is gone. Don’t stop your antibiotic regimen early, or you might end up with an even more serious infection.

6. Choose the Right Oral Surgeon

If you need any kind of oral surgery, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to choose the right professionals. After all, this is your body we are talking about. Whoever you trust with it better be the best.

Beaverton Oral Surgeons has been a leader in the dental industry for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on our experience, our professionalism, and our gold standard care. When you choose us to be your oral surgeons, you can know you’ve made the right choice.

To schedule an appointment with Beaverton Oral Surgeons, call us at (503) 646-7101 or use the form below.

Does gauze prevent dry socket?

The American Dental Association recommends you keep gauze over your extraction site for 30 to 45 minutes after surgery. This encourages a blood clot to form and can help prevent dry socket.

Do you remove gauze to eat after tooth extraction?

Please remove the gauze when you eat or drink. Do not sleep with the gauze in your mouth. Pay special attention to the placement of the gauze , making sure it is over the surgical site and not just between the teeth.

Can you leave gauze in mouth for too long?

Generally, you only need to leave the gauze in place as long as the site is actively oozing or bleeding. We recommend leaving the gauze in place, with direct biting pressure, for about one hour. After an hour, remove the gauze and evaluate the surgical site.