Tooth extractions are a common procedure and many people undergo it to remove a tooth or teeth. If you are about to have an extraction or have just gotten it done, you may be concerned about the recovery process. For this, there are some tips that can help you to have a quick and effective recovery.

Do’s And Don’ts for Tooth Extraction Recovery

The thing about tooth extraction recovery is that there is an after-care process and it requires you to do some things while avoiding some other things. They are the do’s and don’ts of your tooth extraction recovery, which include:

Things You Should During Your Recovery

  • DO keep changing the gauze applied regularly to avoid infections
  • DO take any medicines prescribed by your doctor and take them on time
  • DO try to keep your head elevated as much as possible – lying flat should be avoided completely
  • DO eat foods easy to chew
  • DO drink juices and milkshakes
  • DO eat ice-cream as it can help

Things You Shouldn’t Do During Your Recovery

  • DON’T smoke, chew tobacco, or consume alcohol; these are all things that do damage to the teeth and gums and can cause problems in recovery
  • DON’T drink using a straw, this is because sucking can pull the blood clot out of the tooth-extracted area and become infected and painful
  • DON’T suck on toffees or lollipops – again, they use the sucking movement
  • DON’T eat hard foods or foods that require you to bite down hardly as it can damage the healing area and slow down the recovery
  • DON’T drink hot beverages – although lukewarm can work
  • DON’T do anything that can cause your socket to bleed or become dry

If you look at the do’s and don’ts, you’ll realize that the recovery process is much like a vacation – eating good foods, remaining comfortable, etc. The don’ts can seem difficult for those who are habitual of smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking or eating candies, but these are essential things to avoid at all costs. In truth, the tooth extraction recovery process is the fastest and most uncomplicated if you just let yourself rest and avoid harmful things. The healing process will go about perfectly on its own as long as you follow the simple guidelines. If you avoid all that is to be avoided, you can avoid pain and a troublesome healing process.

Potential Complications from a Tooth Extraction

If any difficulties occur such as getting an infection or a dry socket, you should consult your doctor immediately and they will help you with the solution. It is not recommended to take any issue lightly – if the area bleeds, feels different, hurts unusually too much, or any other issue like that, you should go to your doctor as soon as possible.

Last Reviewed By Dr. Eli Friedman on December 18, 2020