How to Care for Your Mouth After a Tooth Extraction 

Although a Lake Worth Dentist will do whatever it takes to save a tooth, some cases may require a tooth extraction procedure. Whether you’ll have a tooth pulled due to trauma, decay, overcrowding, or an impacted wisdom tooth, it’s best to learn how to care for your mouth after the procedure. We’ve pulled together the best things you can do to help you heal faster and feel better. 

Tips for Caring for Your Tooth Extraction Site

Keep Bleeding Under Control

You’ll experience bleeding at the site of the tooth extraction right after the procedure. For this reason, your dentist will instruct you to control bleeding by biting firmly on the gauze they place on the site. The pressure helps form a blood clot that protects the underlying bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket.  

It’s normal for the extraction site to ooze blood on the first day following your appointment. However, if you experience excessive bleeding on the extraction site, you should bite on a regular tea bag. Teabags contain tannic acid that stops bleeding and aids in the formation of a blood clot. 

Lessen Any Pain

Your dentist will help you manage post-operative discomfort by recommending an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, they may also prescribe more potent pain medication if your tooth extraction requires surgery of the gums and bone. 

Self-care recommendations for pain management include rest, putting an ice pack on the cheek near the extraction site, and propping your head on a pillow when you’re lying down. Moreover, 24 hours following your tooth extraction, you may rinse your mouth with saltwater in gentle swishing motions. Besides alleviating the discomfort, this will help clean the area.  

Do You Need to See a Lake Worth Dentist?

Bringing over two decades of experience to the dental chair, Dr. Miguel Ferrer, DDS, is here to provide you with the highest level of care in a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment. Contact us today to make an appointment.