20 June 2019

Many times happen that, when we need a dental procedure, the first question that we have is about pain. Either way, our first doubt, has to be about which is the special care that we need once we have the dental procedure, and we have to ask this to the doctor.

In a surgery, or tooth removal, there are many actions that we should apply so the recovering process is optimal and like this to avoid any complication. The dentist, after the dental removal, will explain you which are these measures so you have a quick recovery, when you aren’t under the supervision of the dentist.

What is it a dental removal?

It is a surgical procedure, performed in the clinic under local anaesthetics, in which the tooth is removed from its cavity. Normally it is necessary in cases where there is large decay, broken teeth, lack of space for all teeth alignment, or when a severe infection appears.

It is a procedure that can be done in any tooth, but the most common is wisdom teeth removal.

Caring after tooth removal

Once the dental removal procedure is performed the most important part begins, the disciplined care by the patient to achieve an optimal recovery. This recovery should be number one priority, that is why it is important to respect given instructions by your oral surgeon and go to all follow-up appointments.

These are some of the things you should do when the dental removal is done:

  • It is normal that after the removal there is some discomfort, the dentist will tell you which medication is the most suitable to reduce pain and swelling.
  • You should put a sterile gauze, that you have to bite or make pressure with during 30 minutes approximately, to avoid bleeding and to help the clot formation that will be in the dental alveolus.
  • You will feel a bloody liquid, which is blood with saliva, but make sure to not spit or rinse the mouth, because this can risk the dental alveolus clot.
  • During first hours after surgery it is advised to have a liquid diet, or very soft, and even better if it is cold food (hot food can break the blood clot on the alveolus and cause an infection or problem called “dry socket”.
  • DON’T have food with a straw, pressure can also affect the alveolus. In case you eat soft food, make sure to chew with the opposite side of the removal.
  • Avoid hot, spicy, acid or salty food, because it can cause irritation.
  • Make sure you have the area very clean to avoid any infection. Use a soft tooth brush and oral antiseptic as your dentist indicates.
  • Don’t smoke, tobacco influence in a negative way in wound healing and can cause and infection. Moreover, it is necessary to avoid alcohol during recovery.
  • Don’t make any efforts! Rest, avoid effort activities that can harm the clot and cause bleeding.
  • A day after surgery you can see a whitish layer, don’t worry, it is part of the healing process and it is not painful.

What’s after dental removal?

This is an important part that your dentist, or odontologist, will explain you after the removal. The measures you have to follow, once the area is healed, will depend on the case. Wisdom teeth removal, or eliminated teeth because of space lack for a correct alignment, will not require any kind of procedure post removal.

But, if you had a dental removal that is affected because of a rupture, infection, decay, it has to be considered if this space that is left can affect other teeth. In this case, it will be needed to have dental implantology to replace the removed tooth.

In our previous post about “When can I have dental implants?”, you can read about some reasons why it is needed implantology.

In IMED Dental you will have a free medical evaluation without commitment. So you can have full diagnosis and know more about the most suitable treatment for your dental problem.