Taking Care of Your Mouth After a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction can seem to be hard to recover from, but there are plenty of ways that a person can take care of their mouth after a tooth has been extracted.

With the help of this article, we will discuss a few ways that someone can take care of their mouths after they’ve had a tooth extracted. Being aware of how to properly care for the mouth after this procedure can be helpful to someone who has had their tooth pulled or who is expecting to have one pulled in the near future.

Taking care of your mouth after a tooth extraction

Rinse regularly

One of the best ways to care for your mouth after tooth extraction is by regularly rinsing with a saltwater rinse. Sometimes, immediately after a tooth is pulled, mouthwash may be too harsh to the wound or the area around it.

However, saltwater is gentle enough to not cause discomfort, but it will keep the mouth and area surrounding the wound, clean and free of bacteria.

Avoid chewing on that side

Another important thing that people should remember while taking care of their mouths after tooth extraction is to avoid chewing foods on the side of the mouth where the tooth was pulled. While the wound will eventually heal, it may be best to initially avoid chewing on that side.

Chewing could cause pain, swelling, inflammation or even minor bleeding - all of which can be harmful during the healing stages. It’s best to adapt to a liquid diet for a couple of days or just chew things that are softer and won’t harm the area where the tooth was pulled.

Regularly brush

When a tooth is extracted, there are often tissues within the mouth that are exposed. And, when oral tissues are exposed, it makes the area more prone to bacteria. By brushing regularly, a person can ensure that the area surrounding the pulled tooth, will remain free of bacteria and clean.

Often times, after tooth extraction, the area may be sensitive. With that being said, it is important to brush but very gently to ensure that pain or irritation doesn’t affect the area.

Pain medications

One other great way to take care of the mouth aer a tooth extraction is to take some kind of over-the-counter pain medication. While a dentist may suggest a certain one, it’s best to take them with food in order to avoid an upset stomach.

Because a person often feels pain from their tooth extraction, an over-the-counter medication can help with the discomfort as well as any inflammation that may be occurring immediately after the procedure.

Talk to a dentist

While all of these tips on taking care of your mouth after tooth extraction are helpful, there are plenty more too! It is ultimately best to talk with a dentist about tooth extractions and ways to care for the mouth and area afterward. They will be able to help guide you through the aftercare process.

If you have questions or concerns then reach out to our office so that we can help you further. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.ddsbaik.com or call Dennis Baik, DDS at (408) 676-5321 for an appointment in our San Jose office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction.

Recent Posts

Tips For Wisdom Tooth Extraction Aftercare

A wisdom teeth extraction can be daunting for many; however, rest assured that modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of tools that makes the procedure safe and efficient. Even so, a wisdom tooth extraction can make for a pretty lengthy and involved recovery process. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to make the…

Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

If you find yourself  asking the question, "Should I have my Wisdom Teeth removed?" Then you need to know that the answer depends on a few key factors. An ongoing debate in the medical community for a long time, keeping or removing wisdom teeth has some arguing that there are far too many unnecessary extractions.…

Important First Steps If You Have A Dental Emergency

Anyone who has experienced a Dental Emergency can attest it is not fun. Not only is it painful, but it can also be scary. Even those who take good care of their teeth can experience a dental trauma, but the situation can be less stressful if one knows what to do.Following the appropriate steps can…

Benefits Of Replacing A Missing Tooth Immediately

Replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible helps prevent issues that lost teeth can cause, like bone tissue deterioration in the jaw, an increased risk of tooth decay, and the remaining teeth moving out of their proper alignment.Let us take a look at a few of the benefits of replacing a missing tooth with…

Recent Posts

Ask A General Dentist: Is A Tooth Dead After A Root Canal

Ask A General Dentist: Is A Tooth Dead After A Root Canal

There is no need to fear if your general dentist has recommended root canal treatment. This dental procedure is performed on millions of patients every year and is similar to a routine filling. It is a beneficial procedure that saves a tooth that has become infected or damaged. Many patients wonder if the tooth is…

A General Dentist Discusses The Benefits Of Tooth Straightening

A General Dentist Discusses The Benefits Of Tooth Straightening

In recent years, more patients have been asking general dentist professionals about straighter teeth. Orthodontic treatment has come a long way in the last decades. Patients may think that traditional braces are the only option, but clear aligners and appliance therapy are also available now. When having this conversation, it is important that patients discuss…