How to Manage Pain After Tooth Extraction

A dentist will always do anything to save your natural tooth. Tooth extraction involves removing a natural tooth from the roots. In most cases, tooth extraction is performed to remove baby teeth, a severely damaged or decayed tooth, an impacted wisdom tooth, or eliminate overcrowding.

While tooth extraction is a standard procedure, many patients still have significant anxiety and fear. Pain is perhaps the greatest concern when it comes to tooth extractions. If you’ve scheduled a tooth extraction, this article will help you prepare better to minimize discomfort and other symptoms and help you recover faster.

What to Expect During the extraction

A general dentist or oral surgeon can perform tooth extraction procedures. Thanks to sedation, you will be numbed to keep you pain-free throughout the procedure. The dentist will inject an anesthetic into the gums near the tooth extraction. You might need general anesthesia if you have a surgical extraction.

Depending on your tooth’s condition, you can have a simple or surgical extraction. A simple extraction is used when a tooth is visible and accessible above the gum line. A surgical extraction is needed if a tooth is trapped in the gums or bone.

How to Make Tooth Extractions Less Painful

After the tooth extraction, it will take a while for the anesthesia to wear off. Once it does, it’s normal to experience minor discomfort and swelling. Use the tips below to manage pain and other symptoms better and recover quickly:

• Take Painkillers

After the extraction, your dentist or surgeon will likely prescribe medication to manage the pain. You can also be given antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to control swelling and prevent infections. It helps you heal better and faster.

Take the medication as prescribed. If you don’t have a prescription, consult your dentist about the over-the-counter medicines you can take. Contact our dentist in New Brunswick, NJ, or visit a dental office near you if your symptoms worsen or persist beyond normal.

• Cold therapy

Cold therapy is an excellent remedy to manage pain and swelling within the first 24 hours after the extraction. Cold therapy provides a natural numbing effect, helping to reduce pain and swelling. For this, consider placing an ice pack on the side of the face against the area of extraction. Do this in 15-minute intervals for 1 – 2 hours.

• Bite on the gauze pad

Minor bleeding after tooth extraction can be expected. The dentist will place a gauze pad on the gauze and ask you to bite. You should leave the gauze in place until the bleeding stops. You should change the gauze if necessary. The gauze promotes clot formation, which is necessary for the bleeding to stop. Not allowing the clot to form increases the risk of infection or dry socket, which can be uncomfortable.

• Rest adequately

While a tooth extraction might seem like a minor procedure, you still need to get enough rest to allow the extraction area to heal. Strenuous activities like lifting can cause significant pressure on the extraction site, increasing your discomfort and causing further bleeding. When resting, keep your head elevated to allow blood flow from the extraction area and facilitate faster healing.

• Eat a soft diet

After tooth extraction, the extraction area might be sensitive or sore for a few hours. To avoid disturbing the extraction area, take soft foods and beverages like water, yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and soup to avoid disturbing the extraction areas.

What Not to Do

• In the first 24 – 48 hours, avoid sucking, spitting, rinsing, or using a straw.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, and spicy foods.
• Avoid touching the surgical site with your finger or tongue.
• For the next 48 hours, do not smoke or drink alcohol.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you need a tooth extraction in North Brunswick? Contact KK Dental – North Brunswick to book your appointment today.