What Should You Avoid After a Tooth Extraction?

While preserving natural teeth should be a priority in oral health, there are some instances where removing a tooth is necessary to prevent infection or to prepare the mouth for a restorative fixture. At Pipe Creek Dental Center, Dr. Carolyn B. Walker works with patients throughout Pipe Creek, TX to help meet their preventive and restorative dental care needs. Part of her profound skillset is tooth extraction, utilizing innovative technologies to promote comfort and quick healing so patients are back on their feet and participating in normal daily activities.

What is tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure that requires the removal of a tooth. Typically, there are two types: simple and surgical. A simple tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that is visible above the gumline, while a surgical extraction is the removal of an impacted tooth or structure that has not erupted through the gums yet. At Pipe Creek Dental Center, Dr. Walker carefully assesses your teeth to determine if a tooth extraction is necessary for preserving or enhancing your overall oral health.

Why would I need a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction may be necessary for any of the following reasons:

• Wisdom teeth removal
• Overcrowded teeth in a small mouth
• A decayed or infected tooth
• A tooth that’s damaged or fractured beyond repair
• Chronic toothache
• Removing a damaged tooth for a new restoration

For some patients, tooth decay and damage may be treated with less-invasive dental treatments before a tooth extraction is required. Consult with Dr. Walker about your unique dental needs and what to expect from your dental treatment plan.

Benefits of a tooth extraction

A tooth extraction may provide a patient with numerous benefits, including:

• Reduced oral pain and inflammation
• Room for straighter teeth
• Improved bite
• Preventing the spread of oral infection

How the process works

First, the patient attends their scheduled appointment at Pipe Creek Dental Center where Dr. Walker will assess their teeth utilizing skilled observation and CT scans to determine if a tooth (or multiple teeth) needs to be extracted, During a simple tooth extraction, a patient will receive local anesthesia to numb the teeth, gums, and jawbone. Dr. Walker will gently loosen the tooth with specialized tools prior to dislodging the tooth. During a surgical tooth extraction, patients are typically sedated for increased comfort to remove impacted teeth. Once your tooth extraction is finished and any incisions are closed, you are free to go home for recovery upon approval for discharge.

What should you avoid after a tooth extraction?

Recovery after tooth extraction may take a few days to adjust to a regular diet. However, full recovery of the jawbone can take several weeks. Patients are often told to avoid the following activities to optimize their recovery and encourage healthy blood-clotting of the gums:

• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Chewing hard, sticky, crunchy, and spicy foods
• Spitting
• Sucking on straws

Patients may find it easier to eat foods that are soft and cold, including yogurts, puddings, ice cream, and Jello. After 48 – 72 hours, patients may gradually progress to normal foods.

Learn more about how to prepare for tooth extraction

If you reside in or near Pipe Creek, TX, and have sustained irreversible damage to a tooth or need the removal of one or more teeth, contact us at Pipe Creek Dental Center and schedule a consultation today. Dr. Carolyn B. Walker looks forward to working with you to provide an extraction, if necessary, and additional dental care needs.