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Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary when a tooth is badly damaged or infected. Afterward, you'll need to take care of yourself to help the area heal correctly. Here are a few tips your dentist may recommend to keep you healthy and speed the healing process.

Do:

Get plenty of rest.

You'll need at least a day or two off work after your tooth extraction and that time should be spent in bed. Afterward, wait a few weeks to resume strenuous activities like exercise — the exertion and increased circulation can interfere with wound healing.

Use an ice pack.

Some pain and swelling are normal after a tooth extraction. An ice pack will help relieve both. Hold it against your cheek for twenty minutes at a time, then rest for another twenty minutes without it.

Eat soft foods.

tooth extractionTo ease discomfort, you'll want to chew as little as possible. Foods like applesauce, ice cream, mashed potatoes, soup, smoothies, and pudding will help you stay comfortable during your recovery. Avoid irritating the extraction site with chewing anything hard.

Don't:

Use a straw.

While you'll want to stick to liquids and soft foods as much as possible, drink them directly from the dish or use a spoon. Sucking on a straw creates a vacuum in your mouth. This can irritate the extraction site and cause it to start bleeding again.

Smoke.

Like using a straw, inhaling through a cigarette uses suction that can restart bleeding. Additionally, tobacco impedes healthy circulation and can cause the extraction site to dry out, which interferes with healing. 

Leave a space.

After your tooth extraction site has healed, you should replace the missing tooth with a bridge or dental implant. This helps keep the teeth on either side from shifting into the gap and will protect your smile from further damage.

 

If you need a tooth extraction or follow-up care, contact Amison Dental Group in Canton, OH. With easy access from Route 77 and the Belden Village Mall, they provide Stark County patients with comfortable, compassionate dental care using advanced techniques and technology that includes digital X-rays, soft tissue lasers, and Invisalign® tooth realignment treatments. To schedule an appointment, call (330) 452-2255. To learn more about their services, visit their website.

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