At Bright Value Dental, we often have to perform tooth extractions. These are typically wisdom teeth that have to be removed. Regardless of which teeth need to be removed, there are certain steps every patient must take to ensure their post-operative recovery goes smoothly.
In our most recent blog post, we discussed four things you should expect after a tooth extraction. We highly recommend you check out that post. In this post, we will discuss four things you should NOT do after a tooth extraction.
Here are several “Do-Nots” to follow to make certain your tooth extraction area heals quickly and correctly:
- Don’t Smoke: Smoking is an unhealthy habit, but smoking after a tooth extraction can cause some serious problems. It can greatly delay the healing process. Not only will smoking cause this, but other tobacco-related habits, like dipping or chewing, can increase the healing time, cause the area not to heal, or cause dry socket. Our Bright Value Dental dentists strongly recommend refraining from these habits until the area has healed completely.
- Don’t Spit: Another typical habit is spitting. Our Bellaire dentists always inform patients not to spit. If a buildup of saliva takes place, then leave over a sink or wherever you plan to spit, and let the saliva flow out of your mouth. Also, do not rinse out of the mouth. After brushing, which should be conducted with caution, let water soak in your mouth and let the toothpaste flow out of your mouth.
- Don’t Strain: Heavy lifting, extreme exertion, or straining can cause the area to experience bleeding. This happens when the blood in the body begins to pump faster. Not only can this lead to bleeding, but it can lead to swelling, discomfort, and the possible dislodging of the clot that has formed in the area. At our Bellaire dentist office, we recommend taking it easy on the first day, which means staying on the couch or in bed. We also recommend not doing any type of exercise for the first three or four days.
- Don’t Suck: It is a very common thing to drink through straws. In this regard, don’t do anything that requires a sucking action, as this causes suction and may dislodge the clot.
STILL HAVE WISDOM TEETH?
If you still have wisdom teeth that are causing you trouble, then contact our dental office in Bellaire to schedule your tooth extraction. A tooth extraction is often necessary when a patient suffers other issues, like severe tooth decay. Our Houston dentists look forward to helping you achieve a brighter smile.