Important Tips for Pain Management after Getting Tooth Extraction

Poor oral hygiene and tooth trauma can all necessitate tooth extraction. When your tooth is severely damaged, the dentist can recommend having a tooth extraction in Kingwood, TX. On the other hand, poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque build-up, creating a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive and causing periodontal disease. If left untreated, your teeth can get damaged, requiring tooth removal to prevent bacteria from spreading to other teeth. After tooth extraction, a wound is left that needs to be taken care of to prevent dry socket syndrome and manage pain. Fortunately, below, you will find important tips for managing pain after having your tooth removed.

What is Tooth Extraction?

A tooth removal surgery involves the extraction of a tooth from its socket. Our tooth extraction dentist near Humble, TX, can perform this procedure to pull out baby teeth, a severely or decayed tooth. Most of the time, our dentist at 77339 performs this surgery in just a short time. However, if your tooth is severely damaged, it can take time for the dentist to remove it, as there can be small fragments of the tooth.

Why Do You Need A Tooth Extraction?

Most of the time, our dentist at 77339 would like to save your natural tooth. However, there are instances where staying with the affected tooth will have more negative effects on your oral and overall health. Here are such instances:

• Having an Impacted Tooth – tooth removal may be essential when a tooth is hindered from coming out due to the presence of other teeth. Therefore, tooth removal will create enough space for the impacted tooth to erupt.
• Severe Gum Disease – when gum disease has severely affected your tooth and gums, our dentist in Kingwood will recommend removing the tooth to prevent further infection.
• Crowded Teeth – it can be pretty challenging to brush overcrowded teeth. This is because there are small spaces where food debris can get stuck, leading to cavities. Therefore, tooth removal will be imperative for proper oral hygiene and the prevention of dental diseases.
• Severely Damaged Tooth – an accident can leave you with a severely damaged tooth. First, the dentist will confirm if they can preserve the damaged tooth. However, the damaged tooth might be causing immense pain and bleeding, and the only option is to remove it.

Now that you know why you need tooth removal surgery, what tips can help you manage pain afterward?

How To Manage Pain After Getting Tooth Extraction?

Typically, the wound left from tooth extraction should heal after one to two weeks. However, how well you take care of your oral health will affect the healing process. During the healing period, you will experience some pain and discomfort. Here’s how to deal with it:

• Taking Over-the-counter Painkillers – immediately after getting a tooth extraction, the dentist will recommend some over-the-counter pain medications once the anesthesia wears off. Examples of over-the-counter painkillers that the dentist can recommend are ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Ice Packs – can also be useful in keeping the pain in check. Put an ice pack on your cheek for about 20 minutes. Don’t exceed this time, as putting the ice pack on your cheek for a long can lead to skin irritation. An icepack is effective as it constricts your blood vessels, reducing fluid flow in the tissues around the extraction site, reducing swelling, and helping with pain or discomfort.
• Sticking to Soft Foods – is also recommended- after tooth extraction, the dentist will recommend sticking to soft foods like Jell-O, milkshakes, scrambled eggs, warm soups, and yogurt. Consuming hard, spicy, and crunchy foods like crisps, nuts, and paprika can cause irritation and dislodge the blood clot at the extraction site.
• Ensuring that You be Consistent with all the Medications – given to you by the dentist. You might have questions about why you’ve been given painkillers or antibiotics but don’t worry; these medications can help relieve pain and prevent infections. Therefore, you should ensure that you take all medications as prescribed.
• Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene – during the healing period, brush your teeth twice and floss at least once daily. Avoid brushing the wound, as this can dislodge the blood clot.
• When Resting, Avoid Lying Down– on the side of the extraction. Instead, prop yourself up with a pillow when lying down or sleeping. This will help reduce pain.

Get Tooth Extraction Near You

If you experience pain that does not minimize after tooth extraction, contact Houston Oral Healthcare Specialists to get tooth extraction in Kingwood, TX! Our dentist will examine your wound and help alleviate the pain.