Edmonton Dentist: Gum Healing Tips After Tooth Extraction

We all have gone through those terrible days after a tooth extraction and tried several things to heal our gums. Edmonton dentists suggests that eating ice cream and taking plenty of rest aren’t the only things you must do to heal your gums. Below are a few other tips that you must consider to ensure speedy healing of your gums after a tooth extraction.

Bite a Gauze Tightly

Your Edmonton dentist will place a gauze over the extraction site to stop bleeding and promote gum healing. Bite down tightly on this gauze and apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. Biting down tightly will ensure that the gauze stays in place and encourages clot formation. Don’t change the gauze for first 1-2 hours unless there is heavy bleeding. Changing the gauze too often can delay clot formation. Also, don’t talk, spit, sneeze, or eat for 2-3 hours as it can disturb clot formation.

Take Prescribed Medicines Only

Take only the medications prescribed by your dentist and nothing else. If your dentist has not prescribed anything, it means that you don’t need any. Taking medicines on your own can worsen the condition of your gum and contribute to pain, swelling, or bleeding. If you experience unbearable pain, call your Edmonton dentist and find out if you could take over-the-counter painkillers.

Use an Ice Pack

An ice pack can reduce the swelling and bleeding by contacting the open ends of blood vessels. Crush a few ice cubes and put them in a ziplock bag. Place this ice pack on your face outside the extraction site. Only use the ice pack for maximum of 15 minutes, as too much contact with the ice pack can damage your skin and gum tissues. You can repeat this as many times as you want until the swelling is gone.

Brush Gently

Expect a clot to form within the first day or two as it is the first step towards gum healing. However, you must understand that the extraction site is still sensitive. Bleeding, infection or formation of a wound can occur if you disturb the clot or the area around it. Hence, brush your teeth and tongue gently. Don’t brush near your extraction site. You can use an antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water to kill bacteria and prevent any infection near the tooth extraction area.

Swish Warm Salt Water

Do this after 24 hours of tooth extraction. Add one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish your mouth slowly and gently with it for 3-5 minutes. Spit it out slowly and not forcefully and don’t drink water after this. Warm salt water can soothe the hurting gum and increase the rate of healing. Not only this, but salt water will also disinfect your mouth and extraction site. Swish your mouth 4-5 times daily.

If you recently had your tooth extracted, you must know that the bleeding should stop in an hour after extraction and the numbness should subside within 5-6 hours. If you notice even a small amount of bleeding an hour after extraction or still feel numbness in that area, call your Edmonton dentist or visit them immediately. Your dentist will provide the right medication to heal the gums.