Painless tooth extractions may sound like a dream, but unfortunately, that is not true for many patients. Pain and discomfort after tooth extractions are common and can last several days. While some pain and swelling are expected, reducing the discomfort you experience is possible by following these five tips.
Tip 1. Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to the affected area helps reduce inflammation, reducing pain and discomfort. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables directly on your cheek near where the extraction was performed. Do this every 15 minutes during waking hours until the swelling subsides.
Tip 2. Pain Medication
Pain medication prescribed by your dentist should be taken as directed. Pain medication helps reduce inflammation and manage pain. Don’t be afraid to take the full dose if needed; following your dentist’s advice is always important.
Tip 3. Rest
Immediately following a tooth extraction, rest is critical for reducing pain and discomfort. Take some time off from work or school and stay home until the swelling has gone down and you feel comfortable enough to resume your normal activities.
Tip 4. Diet
Avoid eating hard foods that may irritate the affected area, like chips, nuts, popcorn, etc. Stick with soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies, eggs, etc., which are easier on your teeth. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Tip 5. Cleanliness
Keeping the extraction site clean prevents infection and reduces pain and discomfort. After every meal, make sure to rinse your mouth with a saline solution, usually prescribed by your dentist. Additionally, you can use a special toothbrush provided by your dentist to brush the area around the extraction site gently.
The Bottom Line
Pain and discomfort after tooth extractions are common, but you can take steps to reduce these feelings, such as using a cold compress, taking medication as prescribed by your dentist, resting, sticking to soft foods, and maintaining proper hygiene around the extraction site. Following these tips will help make the recovery process easier so that you can get back to doing what you love as soon as possible.
Pain and discomfort can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly you recover and if any complications develop. It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions and take the necessary precautions to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Not necessarily; it depends on the type of extraction being performed and the amount of bleeding that occurs during the procedure. Your dentist may apply dissolvable sutures (stitches) during or immediately following the procedure for added protection, but this is not always necessary.
Pain and swelling that persists beyond a few days should be discussed with your dentist. They may recommend additional treatments to help reduce the discomfort, such as antibiotics or anesthetics, depending on what is causing the issue.