At The Philadelphia Dentist, we never take tooth extraction lightly and only recommend an emergency tooth extraction here in our Philadelphia dental office when all other treatment options are excluded. You can rest assured that when you have your tooth extracted with us, we are here every step of the way to ensure a speedy and comfortable healing process.
Good Practices after a Tooth Extraction
Take it easy — Your body needs rest to heal, so taking it easy after having dental surgery is best.
Rinse gently with salt water (after 24 hours) — Gentle rinsing can keep the extraction site clean. Warm salt water can feel soothing, but proceed gently.
Elevate your head — Elevating your head can reduce swelling and discomfort.
Stay on pain meds for a few days — Your Philadelphia dentist will recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. It’s best to stay ahead of discomfort.
Apply ice when needed — You can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to inhibit swelling.
Keep your follow-up appointments — Follow-up dental exams are essential. We can monitor healing, provide instruction, and recommend post-care treatments.
What to Avoid after a Tooth Extraction
Here are a few things to avoid after you have a tooth removed:
Avoid strenuous exercise for several days — Your body needs time to recover. Strenuous exercise can place strain on the healing area. Keep your exercise light.
Do not rigorously brush or floss the area — Gentle rinses after a tooth extraction are best. Rigorous brushing can disrupt healing tissue.
Don’t smoke or use a straw — Your body forms a protective clot post-extraction. Any suction motion can dislodge the clot and lead to dry socket.
Don’t eat excessively crunchy or chewy foods — Excessive stress chewing and crunchy food particles can slow down healing, lead to discomfort, or cause certain foods like seeds to irritate the healing site.
Avoid hot (temperature) or spicy foods — Hot or spicy foods might cause discomfort.
Stay away from aspirin — Unless your doctor or dentist tells you otherwise, stay away from aspirin, which can thin the blood.
Contact Us for Your Dental Emergencies
If your discomfort worsens or you have questions about your tooth extraction, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are proud to be your emergency dentist in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Dentist is available for same-day routine care and dental emergencies, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including ALL WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. Please call us as soon as possible after 7am, at 215-342-7718, on the day that you wish to schedule a guaranteed same-day appointment.