Some patients will have the unfortunate experience of dealing with a tooth extraction at some point. The process is not something that anyone looks forward to, but it is a necessary solution to many different dental issues. If you are scheduled for an extraction at your dental clinic in Edina, the main focus may be on the procedure itself. You must also remember to prepare for the recovery period.
If you do not take the proper steps to care for your mouth post-extraction, you can risk infection and other serious problems. The right dentist is going to make the procedure and recovery as painless as possible, but there are several things you must be aware of when you return home from the procedure.
The Extraction
It is always recommended to receive a tooth extraction near you if possible. As you will be under some local anesthetic, and everyone reacts differently, it is smart to be close to home. The extraction itself will consist of numbing the local area, loosening the tooth from the socket, and then removing it. Each situation will be slightly different depending on the placement, size, and shape of the tooth.
Some extractions may require extra incisions, and if so, you must be extra careful afterward. The dentist will have you bite down on some medical gauze until the blood properly clots, and they should go over what to expect for the next few days.
Keep Teeth Clean
Without actually brushing the affected area, it is essential to keep your mouth clean during the healing process. You are going to be at a higher risk for infection after your tooth extraction, so you want to take extra precautions and care. Keep up your regular hygiene routine and it will give you a much better chance of recovering smoothly.
Use Salt Water
Cleanliness and hygiene are the top priority after any tooth extraction in Edina, and you must be gentle when cleaning the affected area. The goal is to use luke warm salted water and slowly move it around in your mouth before spitting it out. You must do this for a number of days to help clean the wound. Gargling or swishing too hard threatens to cause bleeding, so be very gentle when you do this.
Refrain From Smoking
Smoking, and even vaping, can leave you more vulnerable to infections when you have a wound healing inside your mouth. There are countless numbers of toxins that are floating around in the smoke and they can cause you some serious harm. If you are a smoker, it is recommended to use an alternative until your mouth is fully healed; it just isn’t worth the risk.
Give it Time to Heal
Any dentist near you is going to give the same advice when it comes to the healing process; it takes time. While everyone does heal at a different rate, depending on a whole host of biological factors, it is still going to take an extended period of time. Make sure that you keep the area well-protected until you are certain it has fully healed. The last thing you want is to inadvertently cause more damage and have to go back to your dental professional.
It Pays to Prepare
If you find yourself in need of tooth extraction in Edina, it is certainly going to do you well to prepare in advance. The dental procedure is just one part of the entire process and you must take care of your mouth while recovering. Listen to your dentist and be dedicated to your routine while you are healing. In no time at all, you are going to be smiling and eating better than ever.