How to Take the Pain Out of a Teeth Extraction

Most of us do not enjoy going to the dentist. We fear the machines, the noise, the pain and hearing the dreadful news that we need a tooth or two extracted (pulled). Yet, it is a fact of life that most of us will face sooner or later. For this reason, it helps to be informed on the proper steps to take after a tooth or teeth has been extracted to make your recovery time speedier and less painful.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The medication the doctor prescribed you
• Ice
• Salt
• Water
• Soft toothbrush
• Soft foods

Teeth Extraction Recovery Steps

1. Leave the gauze in your mouth for an least an hour after leaving the dentist's office, if you can. Yes, it is uncomfortable and makes your mouth feel large. Yet, it will help your blood to cloth which in turn means less bleeding once it is removed.

2. Use ice for the first 24 hours after your tooth surgery to reduce swelling. But only for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours has passed, switch to heat. The best method to use when using ice is the twenty minute on and the twenty minute off method. If twenty minutes seem to long, try ten minutes.

3. Begin using a mixture of salt water by the next day after your surgery. You will want to mix a half of a tablespoon of salt to twelve ounces of water. Swish the mixture around in your mouth. Do this 4 to 6 times daily.

4. Cleanse your mouth. Gently use a small soft toothbrush (this can be the one given to you by the surgeon or small child's toothbrush) and brush away any dried blood you see. First, you will want to moisition the tooth brush with your salt water mixture. Brush in one direction, only. Never brush side to side. Don't panic if you bleed some or see oozing. This is normal.

5. Take any medications given to you as directed.

6. Eat as often as you can. You need to keep up your strength. Eat soft food such as eggs, crushed or ground meats. You can also drink meal replacement drinks to help maintain the daily amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Steer clear of cigarette smoking or drinking from straws and drinking carbonated beverages (soda) for at least 3 to 4 days after surgery. '
• Cigarettes can irritate the fragile gum's from the smoke and the sucking and inhaling actions can lead to dry socket (a painful condition that may require more surgery to fix)
• Drinking from a straw can also cause dry socket
• Drinking carbonated beverages (soda) could lead to burning of the fragile gum's.