Have you ever heard of Painless Parker? After graduating from dental school in 1892, Parker, known as the “P.T. Barnum of Dentistry,” took his practice on the road. Traveling the country in a horse-drawn wagon, Parker attracted a crowd by hiring eclectic performers to dance and play music. Along with a top hat and tails, he always sported a necklace made of over 400 human teeth. To entice and anesthetize patients, he offered them whiskey or a dose of cocaine-laced “hydrocaine.”
Luckily, today’s dentists are less showy and more professional. From simple cleanings to instructions for tooth extraction aftercare, they put the patient’s health and well-being first. Read on to learn the steps to take after having a tooth pulled.
What Happens After an Extraction?
Right after pulling your tooth, the dentist will pack the socket with gauze. This helps stanch the flow of blood, so don’t remove it right away. After about three or four hours, the bleeding is likely to have stopped and the gauze can be discarded.
In its place, a blood clot will have begun to form. It’s important to leave that clot in place. It is protecting the gums, jawbone, and nerves in the socket where the tooth used to be.
If the blood clot is dislodged, the patient is at risk for something called “dry socket.”
Dry Socket, Explained
This condition, officially known as alveolar osteitis, can be extremely painful. In addition, it will delay healing of the mouth after the tooth extraction. Dry socket can also lead to infection — which in turn can be deadly.
The Importance of Tooth Extraction Aftercare
The first 24 hours after extraction are the most important. During this time, the patient should refrain from smoking, sucking on hard candy or mints, using a straw, rinsing the mouth, or eating anything but the very softest foods.
Smoking, straws, and hard candy can create suction within the mouth. This can easily cause the blood clot to loosen.
Similarly, rinsing the mouth with water or mouthwash can wash it away. And any kind of crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy food could get lodged in the socket. It will be difficult to remove without also removing the clot.
While the socket heals, patients should continue to care for their teeth by brushing and flossing. The only change should be avoiding the extraction site.
The Symptoms of Dry Socket
Sometimes that protective blood clot dissolves or becomes dislodged, despite one’s best intentions. If dry socket develops, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Dull, throbbing pain radiating from the socket
- Pain that extends into the face, head, and neck
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth that cannot be gotten rid of by eating, drinking, brushing the teeth or using mouthwash
- Bad breath
These symptoms are cause for concern, and the patient should contact their dentist immediately.
Treatment for Dry Socket
The dentist will probably rinse the socket, apply medication directly to it, and prescribe an antibiotic. The patient may be prescribed painkillers as well. Over the next few days and weeks, the dentist will keep a close eye on things to make sure the dry socket resolves and infection does not take hold.
Do You Need Dental Care?
As you can see, tooth extraction aftercare isn’t really difficult. It’s mostly a matter of being careful for the first couple of days.
Here at Estrabillo Dental Group, we pride ourselves on helping patients achieve optimal oral health. A full range of dental services is available, including sedation dentistry. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have!
