It is often a difficult time after you have had a tooth extracted. Around the outside, your mouth may throb and ache, swelling can make it difficult to eat or drink, and you might find yourself worrying about what will happen if food lodges in the gap where the tooth used to be.
But there are things you can do to help yourself along. Here we look at how best to treat pain, especially when you are thinking of how to sleep after tooth extraction before going to bed, some issues around eating and drinking following extraction, and care for any stitches or dressings.
How to sleep after tooth extraction?
Opinions vary about the best post-extraction treatment; however, most agree that your comfort is paramount. The first 48 hours after surgery are typically the most painful. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen should be fine for these prescriptions but check with your dentist or periodontist first.
Once the numbing medication wears off, you’ll need something stronger to control pain and inflammation. Your doctor might provide you with either prescription pain medicine or a mouth rinse containing a local anesthetic.
Side effects of both can include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and constipation, so use caution when driving or operating heavy machinery. DO NOT SWALLOW THE MEDICATION!
Surgery is trauma, and your immune system will respond by swelling and inflammation to protect you from further damage. Although the pain and swelling might be alarming, it’s a sign that your body is healing itself.
You can reduce post-operative discomfort and speed up the recovery process by moistening your surgical site with a saline solution via eyedropper or damp cotton swab several times a day for three days after surgery.
Compress the area firmly with either gauze pads or ice packs wrapped in clean towels for 10 minutes at a time, four times daily on Day 1; three times each day on Days 2 & 3; then taper off to every few hours as the swelling subsides.
Tip from the dentist’s office on how to sleep after tooth extraction
Sleeping on your back with an extra pillow for support is usually the most comfortable, but you might find that lying on your side is easier for some people. You can also try elevating the head of your surgical site at night using a foam wedge or sleeping more upright in bed rather than reclining all the way back.
What are my options?
There are different ways to manage pain after surgery, depending on what kind of extraction took place and how severe it was. Your dentist will recommend a course of action based on these factors.
A third molar (wisdom tooth) extraction involves four teeth, so pain and swelling may be greater than with other types of extractions. Pain medication post-extraction is determined mainly by whether or not you have your wisdom teeth. The pain will be similar to that of a tooth extraction with some jaw swelling and bruising if they are extracted. Expect 2-3 days of moderate pain.
Ibuprofen may help reduce swelling and discomfort if taken as directed on the bottle for no more than three weeks. If you do not take ibuprofen as prescribed, aspirin can also be used (2 tablets every 4 hours). If you experience continued severe pain or excessive bleeding, consult your dentist right away. You might need to deal with an infection; antibiotics may be necessary in this case.
If you don’t take any medication for pain, ask your dentist about trying a mouthwash that numbs the pain for a short while. Or ask about prescription-strength mouth rinses that work better than OTC remedies.
You should always follow any instructions your dentist or periodontist gave you. If they didn’t give you any, contact them directly to see if there are other steps you need to take after wisdom tooth extraction.
If prescribed antibiotics, it’s important not to skip them even if you feel fine. Skipping doses of antibiotics can worsen the infection and cause additional problems down the road if it spreads through your bloodstream. Call your doctor immediately if you have questions about following your post-op treatment protocol!
Other Things to Consider and Take Note After Tooth Extraction
Painkillers
If you were given any injections or gas at the dentist during treatment, this should keep most of the pain away once they wear off – usually by lunchtime – but if not, take painkillers such as ibuprofen.
If you feel unwell from the painkillers or they do not seem to be working, go back to your dentist for further advice.
Eating and drinking
For a few days after extraction, try not to eat any foods that require a lot of chewing – such as nuts or crispbreads – or anything too hot or cold. This is because swelling might make it more difficult to manage food in your mouth, and having something stuck can cause bleeding and a buildup of pus inside the gap left by the tooth. Wait 24 hours before eating anything solid but stick with drinks for now.
Cold drinks are usually more comfortable on an extraction site as they soothe swollen tissues but remember not to have anything too fizzy or alcoholic as it could sting.
Dressing the wound
If you have stitches, these should dissolve over time but if they are hanging around, ask your dentist when it is OK to take them out. If any dressing was put on your jaw after surgery, a nurse will take it off at an appointment about ten days later – it can often feel uncomfortable for a few days afterward.
Nerve pain five weeks – 1 month after extraction
It is common for some people to experience nerve pain in the area where the tooth was removed between 5 – 6weeks – 1month after having a tooth extracted, and no other symptoms such as swelling or infection should be present.
It is also possible that this symptom might first occur at the time of the next natural ‘toothache’ that might occur in that area. This nerve pain can often be very difficult to treat with commonly available painkillers, although sometimes effective. Nerve pain is best treated by a dentist expert in this specialized area, who will usually carry out a course of treatment including splinting etc.
After about one month, most patients gradually return to normal activities but should avoid strenuous exercise for another week or two. It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene around the extraction site. If food lodges there, it could lead to an infection which may prolong healing and post-operative discomfort.
Teeth are funny things – when one goes, it’s easy to wonder if the remaining ones will keep going as well.
So what do you do if you want to maintain your pearly whites without dentures, implants, or bridges?
The first step should be a check-up and polish at the dentist – who can remove tartar and plaque buildup, which could cause other teeth problems. After that, there are simple steps you can take at home:
Look after your remaining teeth
Chew only on the opposite side of the mouth from where your tooth was taken out – so if it’s on the right-hand side, chew on the left. If it’s top, chew on the bottom. Also, avoid chewing gum as this can wear away at enamel and make things worse; instead, opt for sugarless mints.
Floss regularly
Even if you have to do it yourself, flossing every day can prevent the buildup of plaque that causes teeth problems. And no matter how meticulous you are with your brushing at home, without the help of floss, there’s a lot of debris left behind, which could mean an infection further down the line.
Use mouthwash and toothpaste designed for people who’ve had a tooth out
There is ‘aftercare’ toothpaste and mouthwashes available at pharmacies that contain fluoride for protection against cavities; they also include ingredients such as calcium and phosphate to aid in rebuilding enamel and strengthening weakened roots or gums. Ask your dentist which product be best for you after having a tooth extraction.
Eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water
We know it’s hard when there is a gap in your teeth, but you might be surprised how much you can still eat – just tackle the problem bit by bit, chewing slowly and avoiding sugar, to start with. Fill up on fruit and vegetables throughout the day and cut down on processed foods such as chips and pastries.