How To Heal After Getting A Tooth Pulled
Getting a tooth pulled is a painful experience. You'll heal more successfully if you follow this guide for at-home aftercare.
Consume soft foods
After getting a tooth pulled, your mouth will be sore and agitated. Ample jaw movement and tooth pressure will add to your pain. Avoid hard foods, such as meats, uncooked vegetables and fruits, and other items that require ample chewing while your mouth heals from your tooth pulling experience.
Eat soft foods instead, such as oatmeal, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and blended foods like smoothies.
Watch temperatures
Consume foods and beverages at room temperatures to avoid irritating your tender mouth. Foods and beverages that are very hot or cold may agitate your gums, which are often the sorest after having a tooth pulled. Never drink through a straw, as this can cause a blood clot in your extraction site to become loose, resulting in a painful dry socket.
Brush gently
Don't ignore your oral health after having a tooth pulled, but brush your teeth gently with an infant or soft toothbrush. If brushing is painful, talk to your dentist. Use a homemade mouth rinse made of salt and water to clean your mouth and keep debris out of the tooth extraction site (this prevents infection).
Use medication
If your dentist prescribed you painkillers to help you heal from getting your tooth pulled, then take your medication regularly as directed, even if you are beginning to feel better. You can use over the counter medication to also help alleviate pain.
Use ice
An ice pack wrapped in a dry cloth applied to your cheek outside your mouth helps keep swelling at bay. Swelling often results in jaw pain and tension and relieving this pain with ice (don't apply ice for too long until it's painful) helps make your healing process easier.
Rest
The best way to heal after any type of painful experience is to get your rest. Rest often, elevating your head to relieve pressure and to keep swelling at bay.
Take it easy
Avoid strenuous activity that requires ample movement for a few days, such as heavy exercise. Take it easy with your movements and avoid talking too much or chewing gum to keep your mouth healthy and allow your body to heal from getting your tooth pulled. Even jumping up and down can harm your mouth so take care.
Your dentist will give you more information about staying healthy while you heal from getting a tooth pulled. If you are in more pain than when you left the office after a few days, call your dentist.