If you need to have a tooth extracted, it’s normal to have concerns about discomfort and proper dental care after the procedure. Fortunately, advances in dental anesthesia have made tooth extraction painless for most people, and the extraction site typically heals in just one to two weeks. However, proper post-extraction care is crucial to prevent pain, infection, and other complications. Recovering from a tooth extraction includes knowing what to avoid after tooth removal reduces gum irritation, allowing the tooth socket to close naturally and facilitating healing deeper in the jawbone – an important first step if you plan to get dental implants.
What to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction
1. Avoid Smoking and/or Tobacco Use
Smoking after a tooth extraction can significantly hinder the healing process and increase the risk of complications. The chemicals in cigarette smoke (and other tobacco products, including vape smoke and chewing tobacco) constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the surgical site and slowing down the body’s ability to repair itself, increasing the risk of infection. Smoking can also delay the formation of a blood clot at the extraction site, leading to a painful condition known as a dry socket.
A dry socket occurs when the blood clot either dissolves or becomes dislodged too soon after tooth extraction. This condition exposes the bone and nerves below the socket to air, food particles, and fluids, causing intense pain and delaying healing. Normally, the blood clot provides a “scaffolding” for new gum tissue to grow over the socket; as such, it is essential for quick recovery.
Refrain from smoking for at least 72 hours after a tooth extraction procedure. If you think you’ll have difficulty managing your nicotine cravings, talk to your doctor about using a smoking cessation aid (such as a nicotine patch) for the first few days after your surgery. This simple step can make a big difference in ensuring a smooth recovery process and minimizing discomfort.
2. Avoid Hard, Crunchy, and Acidic Foods
After undergoing a tooth extraction procedure, it’s crucial to pay attention to what you eat to promote healing and prevent complications. Hard or crunchy foods may irritate the extraction site, causing discomfort and potentially dislodging the blood clot protecting the tooth socket. Additionally, spicy and acidic foods should be avoided because they may increase gum irritation and inflammation.
Instead, in the days following, opt for easy-to-chew, soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, tofu, applesauce, and soup during the first week after tooth extraction. These foods are gentle on the healing area and provide essential nutrients to support recovery.
3. Refrain from Drinking Through a Straw
Though drinking through a straw may seem like a natural response when your mouth is swollen, this practice can have serious consequences. The suction created while drinking through a straw can dislodge the blood clot protecting the extraction site, leading to a dry socket. Instead, sip cool liquids directly from a cup or glass.
4. Limit Physical Activity
Most people feel better within 24-48 hours after tooth extraction, but that doesn’t mean you can resume your normal activities immediately. Heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and other forms of strain or exertion should be avoided following tooth removal because they can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, causing renewed bleeding at the extraction site. Not only does this delay healing, but it may also dislodge the blood clot, especially in the first few days after surgery.
As with any surgical procedure, it is crucial to rest and allow your body to heal after tooth extraction. Your dentist will let you know when it is safe to exercise again based on your level of healing, but for most people, rest is recommended for three to five days.
5. Avoid Rinsing or Spitting Rigorously
For the first 24 hours after tooth extraction, avoid brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth, or spitting forcefully. (If your extraction site begins to bleed, hold a gauze pad over it gently but firmly until the bleeding stops rather than rinsing or spitting out excess blood.) After 24 hours, you may gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (or mouthwash, if prescribed by your dentist). Continue to avoid brushing or flossing directly around the extraction site for another week after surgery.
6. Skip Alcoholic Beverages
Like smoking, alcohol consumption can interfere with blood clot formation at the extraction site, potentially leading to a dry socket and other complications. Alcohol thins the blood and dehydrates oral tissues, worsening post-surgical bleeding and reducing saliva production, which is needed to keep the mouth clean and moist after tooth extraction. Inadequate saliva flow can delay tissue regeneration and increase discomfort during recovery. Alcohol also interferes with the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.
To ensure a successful recovery after tooth extraction, it is best to abstain from alcohol for at least 24-48 hours post-procedure (or as long as recommended by your dentist). Choose water and other sugar-free non-alcoholic beverages instead, as these options will increase saliva flow and support proper healing.
7. Don’t Touch or Prod the Extraction Site
After oral surgery, never touch or prod a tooth socket that’s still healing, either with your fingers, your tongue, a toothbrush, or any other object. Not only does touching the extraction site risk dislodging the blood clot prematurely, but it will also introduce bacteria to the area, increasing the likelihood that infection will occur.
If you want to check the extraction site to see how it’s healing, open your mouth and use a mirror to examine the area or call your dentist to schedule a follow-up appointment. However, if you are not experiencing unusual pain, swelling, redness, or discomfort, there is probably no need to worry.
Conclusion
If you have a badly decayed or damaged tooth that cannot be restored, removing it is necessary to prevent pain and infection and prepare the mouth for a dental implant or bridge. By knowing what to avoid after tooth extraction – and carefully following your dentist’s instructions – you can ensure a smooth and successful recovery. With the assistance of your dentist, you will soon be able to replace your missing tooth and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile.
Contact Dr. Dalmao and Associates today to discover how tooth extraction can support your dental health and increase overall well-being. As one of Mississauga’s leading oral surgeons and dental implant experts, Dr. Dalmao can advise you on the best method for removing and replacing severely decayed or injured teeth.