Can i brush my teeth with toothpaste after tooth extraction

When you've had a tooth removed (extracted), you need to take care of your mouth. Doing certain things, even on the first day, may help you feel better and heal faster.

Control bleeding

To help control bleeding, bite firmly on the gauze placed by your dentist. The pressure helps to form a blood clot in the tooth socket. If you have a lot of bleeding, bite on a regular tea bag. The tannic acid in the tea aids in forming a blood clot. Bite on the gauze or the tea bag until the bleeding stops. Slight oozing of blood on the first day is normal.

Minimize pain

To lessen any pain, take prescribed medicine as directed. Don't drive while taking any pain medicine as you may feel drowsy. Ask your dentist if you may take over-the-counter medicine, if needed.

Reduce swelling

To reduce swelling, put an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction site. You can make an ice pack by putting ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it in a thin towel. Apply the ice pack to your cheek for 10 minutes. Then remove it for 5 minutes. Repeat as needed. You may see some bruising on your face. This is normal and will go away on its own.

Get enough rest

Limit activities for the first 24 hours after an extraction. Rest during the day and go to bed early. When lying down, raise (elevate) your head slightly.

Do's

Below are some things to do to help your mouth heal.

  • Do eat a diet of soft, healthy foods and snacks. Also drink plenty of liquids.

  • Do brush your teeth gently. Avoid brushing around the extraction. And don't use any toothpaste. Rinsing toothpaste from your mouth may dislodge the blood clot.

  • Do keep the extraction site clean. After 12 hours you may be able to gently rinse your mouth. Rinse 4 times a day with 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water. Check with your dentist first.

Don'ts

Below are some things to avoid while you're healing.

  • Don't drink with a straw. Sucking on a straw may dislodge the blood clot.

  • Don't drink hot liquids. Hot liquids may increase swelling. Limit your alcohol use. Excessive use of alcohol may slow healing.

  • Don't smoke. Smoking may break down the blood clot. This can cause a painful tooth socket.

Caution: Rinse your mouth very gently. Otherwise the blood clot may be dislodged.

Call your dentist 

Get in touch with your dentist if you have any of the following: 

  • Pain becomes more severe the day after your extraction.

  • Bleeding becomes hard to control.

  • Swelling around the extraction site worsens.

  • Itching or rashes occur after you take medicine.

Are you worried about compromising the healing process after a tooth extraction? Are you uncertain about what you should or shouldn’t do in the immediate aftermath of a tooth extraction procedure? In this article, you’ll discover some of the tooth extraction site post-operation instructions routinely given by the professionals at Green Dental Care.

Avoid Spicy Foods

It is recommended that you avoid spicy foods during the first few days after your tooth extraction procedure. Spicy foods can trigger pain at the extraction site because some of the active ingredients in the spices could irritate exposed nerves, causing intense pain. Additionally, some of those spices may react with the clot at the extraction site and break it up, resulting in fresh bleeding. It is therefore advisable for you to refrain from consuming any spicy foods in the first week after your tooth extraction surgery.

Avoid Chewy or Sticky Foods

We asked our friend, Dr. Taher Dhoon, a dentist in Greeley, CO, about post tooth extraction recommendations. Dr. Dhoon advises patients to refrain from eating chewy or sticky foods during the first 4-5 days after the tooth has been extracted. Sticky or chewy foods can get stuck in the socket left after the tooth was surgically removed. Additionally, any sticky or chewy foods that you consume can attach to the clot in the extraction site, and these foods will remove the clot.

Brush Carefully

You should not neglect your routine oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing just because you have just had a tooth extracted. However, it is important to brush carefully, especially the areas close to the extraction site. To be on the safe side, don’t brush or rinse the mouth in the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction procedure. Thereafter, brush with care and don’t allow the toothbrush to get close to the extraction site. Also, don’t swish water, mouthwash or any oral care fluid in your mouth. Just lower your mouth and let the oral care liquids (warm salty water, for example) pour out of your mouth under the force of gravity.

Prevent Dry Socket

Dry socket is a painful condition in which one loses the clot during the initial stages of the healing process and the socket remains open. The healing process will be compromised once this happens. Parker dental care experts recommend three key steps to prevent dry socket.

First, patients are advised to avoid sucking through a straw since this may dislodge the blood clot that has formed at the tooth extraction site.

Secondly, Dr. Green advises against spitting forcefully during the first week or so after the tooth extraction procedure. Such a forceful act can dislodge the blood clot and result in dry socket.

Thirdly, it is advisable to avoid smoking for at least one week after your tooth has been extracted. Smoking can interfere with the efficient flow of blood to the extraction site, so healing may take longer. Additionally, the chemicals in cigarettes can also break up the clot and cause bleeding at the extraction site.

Use an Ice Pack

Green Dental Care also recommends that you apply an ice pack to the exterior of the side of your jaw where a tooth was removed. Keep the ice pack on for a maximum of 20 minutes and then keep it off for a minimum of 10 minutes. Do this during your waking hours in the first 24 hours after the tooth was extracted. The ice pack will help to minimize swelling. After 24 hours, discontinue the use of an ice pack and resort to applying a warm towel to the jaw.

Opt for a Soft Diet

Only eat soft food during the first few days after your tooth is extracted. Foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding and smoothies are suitable for someone who has just undergone tooth extraction. After about 5 days, switch back to your normal diet unless you experience soreness or pain while chewing. In that case, revert to the soft foods once again.

Avoid Sports or Vigorous Activities

Emergency dentists in Parker, CO also recommend that patients avoid taking part in sports or any vigorous activities during the first 5 days after having a tooth extracted. Such activities can apply pressure on the extraction site, and you may end up losing the clot covering the socket.

Take All Meds as Prescribed

Your dentist may prescribe some medications, such as pain medication and antibiotics, after the tooth extraction procedure. Take all those medications in accordance with the instructions given by Dr. Green. This adherence will keep you free from pain, and infections will be warded off during the healing process.

Notify your doctor or dentist as soon as you suspect that you have developed an allergic reaction to the medication you are taking. For example, you could develop a rash, itchiness, swelling or difficulty breathing.

Follow-Up Visits with Your Dentist in Parker, CO

Another important part of your post tooth extraction care is the follow-up visits scheduled by Dr. Green or any other dental care professional who extracted your tooth. The first visit usually happens about a week after the extraction.

These follow-up visits enable the dentist to check the extraction site and confirm that you are healing as expected. The follow-up visit may also provide an opportunity to remove any sutures that were placed during the extraction procedure.

You should honor all the follow-up appointments recommended so that any developing issue during the healing process can be detected and resolved promptly.

While the post-op process is expected to proceed smoothly, it is also wise for you to know when something may be wrong and you need urgent attention. For example, you should contact the dentist or your doctor immediately if you are in severe pain days after the extraction, or when swelling increases. Don’t disregard anything unusual that you experience during the healing process. Contact Green Dental Care immediately so that you can be given professional advice about the next steps to take.

Is it okay to toothbrush after tooth extraction?

Brush Carefully To be on the safe side, don't brush or rinse the mouth in the first 24 hours after the tooth extraction procedure. Thereafter, brush with care and don't allow the toothbrush to get close to the extraction site. Also, don't swish water, mouthwash or any oral care fluid in your mouth.

How do you clean your mouth after a tooth extraction?

Mix a level teaspoon of salt into a cup of boiled, hot (but not scalding) water. Hold the salt water in the mouth for one minute and gently swish the solution around and then spit out. Repeat mouthwashes 3-4 times a day and after you have eaten to make sure your mouth remains clean.

Why can't I use toothpaste after tooth extraction?

Do not directly brush the extraction site for the first 3-4 days after surgery to prevent dislodging of the blood clot from the socket. Don't use any toothpaste. Rinsing toothpaste from your mouth could remove the blood clot. Instead this area can be gently and carefully wiped with a clean, wet gauze pad or cloth.