After Tooth Extraction

When you have one or multiple of your teeth extracted, there are a few things you should be careful about to protect the injured area and prevent any damage, infection, or inflammation. In this article, we will inform you about what you should do and shouldn’t do after tooth extraction. We will also answer questions such as “When can I eat after tooth extraction?” and “Can I brush my teeth after the operation?”.

Do’s and don’ts after tooth extraction?

Do’s:

• Get as much rest as you can. You should get lots of rest. Tooth extraction is a wearing surgery, and you should rest as much as possible to recover from it. It is important to note that you should keep your head in an upright position while resting. This helps organize your blood flow and prevent excessive bleeding.
• Drink plenty of fluids. There is no such thing as drinking too much water. You should drink as much water as possible; this helps your body to get rid of toxic materials and relieve pain.
• Protect the area. You should do a list of things to protect the area and prevent any possible infection or inflammation. It is normal for the area to bleed, especially for the first few days. During this period, you should apply gauze, and rinse your mouth frequently until the wound forms a clot. You should also avoid touching or damaging this clot, since it may cause an infection.

Don’ts:

• Don’t smoke. Smoking is one of the most dangerous and unhealthy things you can do. You should avoid smoking for at least two weeks after the extraction surgery to prevent infection or further complications.
• Don’t eat hard foods. Eating chewy or hard foods may damage and cause problems in the wounded area. For this reason, avoid chewy or hard foods for at least a week after the tooth extraction surgery.
• Don’t drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol may cause multiple problems after a surgery or dental operation. For this reason, avoid drinking alcohol for at least two weeks after the extraction.

When can I eat after tooth extraction?

The first 24 hours after your tooth extraction surgery, you should only consume liquids and soft foods. After 24 hours, you can start eating normally, but you still should avoid eating hard or chewy foods.

Can I brush my teeth after tooth extraction?

Although the risk is relatively low, you should avoid brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with mouthwash/saltwater for the first 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, you can brush your teeth carefully, and by avoiding brushing your wounded side. You should also avoid using powerful mouthwashes or other rinsing liquids, and should only rinse your mouth with normal water for the first week.

Can I smoke after tooth extraction?

No, you can’t and shouldn’t smoke for at least a week after the extraction (the ideal period is 2 weeks). Smoking after a tooth extraction surgery may cause multiple problems such as infections, inflammations, and more.

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