How to Sleep After and Recover From Teeth Extractions

how-to-sleep-after-and-recover-from-teeth-extractions

If you’ve had teeth pulled — regular teeth or wisdom teeth — extracted, be sure to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions precisely. Those instructions will be tailored precisely to your procedure and medical needs. In addition to those patient-specific instructions, here are six general tips for making a full, quick and comfortable recovery from tooth extractions in SW Edmonton. If you notice any conflict between these tips and your dentist’s instructions, follow your dentist’s instructions. If you have any questions, contact your dentist at Jagare Ridge Dental to get the information and assurance you need. 

Rest as much as possible

For 48 hours after your surgery, avoid any strenuous exercise that will increase your heart rate. Sedentary activity will be safe right away, but exercising too strenuously during the early stages of your recovery will increase the risk of swelling, excessive bleeding and pain. Whenever possible, take a couple days off work and get some help with caregiving obligations.

Speaking of resting, what about sleeping?

When you lay down after undergoing tooth extractions near you without taking special care to keep your head elevated, at least two things happen. The volume of blood and your blood vessel tone increase near your extraction sites. (Blood vessel tone is the extent to which your blood vessels are constricted.) You may not be aware of your blood volume or blood vessel tone, but you will notice throbbing at the site of your extraction, an increased sensation of pressure and increased risk of bleeding. All of those things will increase your discomfort and prolong your healing process. To eliminate those problems, keep your head elevated at a 45 degree angle for at least 36 to 48 hours after an extraction procedure. When sitting, reclining or laying down, don’t let your head fall back, but keep it propped up with an extra pillow or folded towel.

Take medications as directed

Your dentist in SW Edmonton may prescribe one or two types of medications: pain medication and antibiotics. Be sure to take those medications precisely as directed. On this topic, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist if you have had any negative experiences with pain medication in the past or are concerned about taking any medication. It’s also essential that you tell your dentist about any allergies you have to medication. 

Eat just soft foods for a while

Until your dentist tells you that you can start eating hard food, eat just soft foods that you don’t need to chew. Good options for eating until you’re ready to eat chewy, hard or crunchy things are foods and drinks such as ice cream, milkshakes, pudding, smoothies, meal replacement shakes, soup, applesauce and canned fruit, mashed potatoes and fish. 

Protect your clot

Before you leave the office of your dentist in SW Edmonton, your dentist’s staff will ensure that a blood clot has formed in each extraction site. That clot protects the nerves and tissue inside your jaw from exposure and from infection. If the clot is dislodged from any extraction site, you may experience a painful condition called dry socket. To avoid disturbing the blood clot, avoid any activity that will create any suction in your mouth. Dangerous habits to be avoided include things like: spitting, drinking from a straw, smoking and rinsing your mouth too vigorously after brushing your teeth. 

Rinse with salted water

Although you should avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously in order to avoid disturbing your clots, rinsing your mouth during the week after undergoing wisdom tooth removal near you is a good idea. To ease any discomfort experienced by the soft tissues in your mouth, to remove bacteria and food particles and to help reduce the risk of infection, rinse your mouth with warm salted water. Simply dissolve one-half of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then swish the water gently in your mouth for 10 seconds before letting the water fall from your mouth — Let it fall. Don’t spit. 

If you become concerned at any time about unexpected or worsening symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist near you right away.

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