After having a tooth or teeth extracted by a dentist, we recommend taking the following precautions to make the recovery process easier:
- Do not remove your denture during the first 24-48 hours. If removed too early and left out, swelling may occur around the extraction site and make it difficult/painful to put the denture back in.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours. After this time, you can begin to gently rinse your mouth 3 to 4 times a day, ideally after meals and before bedtime to keep the site clean. Continue this for 4 – 5 days.
- To rinse, use a lukewarm saltwater solution (½ teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water). Instead of forcefully spitting, tilt your head forward and let the liquid dribble out naturally. This minimizes suction and helps protect the extraction site.
- After 24 hours, you can begin to brush and floss the rest of your teeth.
- At this point, your denture should be cleaned thoroughly and placed back into your mouth immediately. When taking the denture out for the first time after extraction, take care and be very gentle. Avoid leaving the denture out for longer than 10/15 minutes at a time until healing is complete (to prevent issues with swelling/fit of the denture).
- Avoid certain activities after extractions, such as spitting, smoking, or sucking through straws. These actions can dislodge essential blood clots, disrupting the healing process.
- Stick to soft foods for at least 24 hours and avoid hard or crunchy items during this time. Avoid carbonated drinks and overly hot liquids.
- Contact your dentist if you have any concerns during this healing process, or if you experience any excessive pain or bleeding.