Tooth Extraction Requires Special Care of the Tooth Socket

Posted July 1, 2021

When possible, it is our goal to help you keep your natural teeth so that you can have your most optimal smile. However, conditions such as trauma or disease can damage your teeth to the point that even a dental restoration will not be helpful. If you are receiving tooth extraction and will undergo tooth replacement, we can help you care for the tooth socket until it’s filled.

Upon having a tooth extraction, the extraction site forms a blood clot to protect the empty space from bacteria and infection, as well as cover any jawbone or nerves that have been exposed. We encourage you to pay special mind to the blood clot so that it doesn’t become loose or dislodged and result in a condition called dry socket. Losing the blood clot can put you at a risk of infection and result in severe oral discomfort. After a tooth has been removed, treat the extraction site carefully to prevent further complications.

Dr. Jeremy Hixson can help you understand how to protect your smile, and he may recommend not using a toothbrush for the first 24 hours. Instead you can use antiseptic mouthwash to rinse your mouth gently. When you are cleared to brush your teeth again, be careful when brushing the teeth near the extraction site until it has healed.

While you may not have an appetite immediately after your procedure, when you do feel hungry, we recommend cool and soft foods that don’t require much chewing. Any chewing should be done on the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid drinking with a straw to prevent the suction from affecting your blood clot. Habits like smoking or chewing tobacco should be avoided during healing because they can lead to infection and disrupt the blood clot.

We invite you to contact Eagle Oral Surgery and Implant Center at (208) 995-2865 today and arrange a consultation with our dentist to learn more about caring for your smile after tooth extraction in Eagle, Idaho.