If you have an upcoming appointment for a tooth extraction, you will need to make some temporary changes to your daily life. Certain food and lifestyle choices could increase discomfort and affect your ability to heal.
Following is a helpful guide to making the most of your recovery after a tooth extraction.
Do: Adopt a Liquid and Soft Diet
You should adopt a temporary liquid/soft diet after your tooth extraction. Eating foods with crispy edges like potato chips or chewing fibrous foods could irritate extraction sites.
Suitable foods you can consume include:
- Broths
- Puréed Soups
- Yogurt
- Mashed vegetables
- Soft tofu
- Smoothies
- Meal replacement drinks
Don’t: Touch Extraction Sites with Your Tongue or Fingertips
A blood clot will form over your tooth socket after an extraction. Keeping this clot in place is an integral part of the healing process. Avoid disturbing this clot by touching it with your tongue or fingertips. Disturbing this clot could affect your recovery.
Do: Use Cold Compresses
Using cold compresses on the outside of your face could minimize swelling and ease discomfort. Cold compresses are most effective the day of and the day following your tooth extraction.
Don’t: Use Tobacco
Tobacco products like vape juice, chewing tobacco, and cigarettes cause inflammation and irritate soft oral tissue. Since tobacco affects our abilities to heal, it is important to avoid these products during your recovery.
Do: Take Medication to Control Swelling and Pain
Anti-inflammatory medication can help control pain caused by swelling. Your prosthodontist may also prescribe pain relievers to increase your comfort while you recover. It is important to take over the counter and/or prescription medication exactly as directed. If you have questions about which medications you should take and when, call our office to speak with a helpful member of our team.
Patients will be sent home with information packets following a tooth extraction. These packets can help make your recovery as quick and comfortable as possible.
Call Dakota Prosthodontics and Implant Center to ask questions or schedule an appointment with our prosthodontist.
