There are many reasons your dentist might remove a molar. There may be damage to it than can't be saved by covering it with a crown, you could have a failed root canal, or you might decide to remove it instead of getting a root canal. Regardless of the reason you had it removed, you need to make sure to take good care of the extraction site after the procedure. Here are some tips for after-surgery care.
Know What Not to Do
It helps to know what you shouldn't do after having one of your molars removed. First of all, do not touch the area, brush around it or rinse it for the first day after the extraction. This time is crucial and you need to be very gentle. Shortly after the procedure, you will still feel numb. Avoid hot beverages or food as you might burn your mouth without realizing it. You should also avoid sucking, including using a straw or smoke a cigarette. This could dislodge the blood clot, which causes a very painful condition called dry socket. You also want to avoid drinking alcohol, as it delays the healing process.
Take Your Painkillers Immediately
Don't wait until the numbing has worn off and you are in pain to take your prescribed or over-the-counter painkillers. Take them as directed right when you get home after the procedure. This will help with pain and discomfort once the anesthetic starts to wear off. Keep up with the dosing schedule for the best results. Make sure you don't take more than recommended, though. If you are in too much pain, contact your dentist. They may be able to prescribe a stronger pain reliever.
Control the Bleeding
Shortly after the molar is removed, there will be a gauze placed on the area. You will need to change this dressing on your own when you get home. You will have to keep changing the gauze as needed until the bleeding stops. In most cases, you don't need to do this more than once or twice for bleeding after a tooth extraction. Hold it firmly over the extraction site until the bleeding stops, but be careful not to disturb the blood clot as you do so. You may continue bleeding slightly for a couple days, which is normal. However, if you have excessive bleeding, contact your dentist.
Rinse Daily
After that first day of no rinsing, your dentist will advise you to use a warm salt water rinse. This helps clean the area of bacteria and food particles until you are able to brush the extraction site safely. Do this several times a day, but be careful not to use force when spitting it out. The dentist may also provide you with a prescription-strength rinse to kill bacteria.
Consider a Dental Implant
After the area has healed, you will be given options for replacing the missing tooth. Even with a molar, leaving the empty socket could cause other teeth to shift over time. One way to replace it is by getting a dental implant. A metal post is inserted into the jawbone, then a crown is placed over that. This is the best tooth replacement option, as it looks and feels just like a natural tooth.
Talk to a specialist like South Shore Prosthodontics for advice about aftercare and other dental treatment options.
Share4 May 2015
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
