The extraction of a dental piece (or exodontia) is a small surgical intervention. Many people feel uneasy when they are told that they have to have a tooth extracted. But you should know that with the current medical technology and sedation, you will not notice anything.
Just some discomfort for 2 to 3 weeks at the end of the operation. Even so, if you have to have a tooth or a molar extracted, you must follow some steps to avoid any problems with that discomfort 3 weeks after extraction.
Basic postoperative care will keep the area in good condition. It would help if you remembered that the firm clot (i.e., the scarring that prevents bleeding) occurs 24 hours after the operation. The dentist will suture the area so that you can go home safely.
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How Do I Survive Discomfort 3 weeks After Extraction?
If the following behavioral and preventive measures are observed, you should not experience any more severe discomfort as early as two days after the tooth extraction procedure.
Try not to get behind the wheel yourself immediately after the procedure.
Do not eat anything as long as you feel the local anesthesia in your mouth. (Mineral) water or lukewarm tea is suitable for drinking. Later, you should eat easily digestible food, avoiding dairy products for one to two days if possible.
Heat in any form, such as sunbathing, sauna visits, or hot baths, is harmful during the first two days. Swelling and secondary bleeding may occur.
It would be best if you alleviated an incipient swelling with a cold pack. Put a few pieces of ice in a washcloth and place it on the outside of the cheek (change frequently). Beware of cold packs from the refrigerator or freezer: the latter can cause skin damage while the local anesthetic is still in place since the intense cold is not felt.
Mouthwashes are unnecessary or even harmful unless specifically prescribed by a doctor. Try your best not to touch the extraction wound with your fingers (often observed in children). You can do teeth brushing usually, but the wound area should be left out for three to four days.
Traces of blood in saliva when spitting out look dangerous but are usually completely harmless. If the bleeding becomes more severe, place a clean cloth handkerchief (no paper!) on the wound and bite on it for half an hour. A tight bandage can be placed over the head and chin to help with the biting pressure. Do not lie flat in the bed. The head should always be the highest point of the body. If bleeding still does not stop, contact your dental office.
There is no reason to call in sick if you are working without heavy physical strain. However, heavy physical activities, work with chemical fumes, or in dusty air should be avoided.
Alcohol, nicotine, and strong coffee increase the readiness for postoperative bleeding and weaken the immune system. Therefore, a strict ban on these stimulants applies for the first six hours after the procedure.
If your doctor has prescribed tablets (antibiotics, painkillers), take them as instructed. If you do not tolerate the medication, notify your dentist immediately.
A slight soreness is normal and varies from individual to individual. If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If the pain persists after two days or even intensifies, contact your dentist.
How Do I Brush After A Tooth Extraction?
- You are ensuring oral hygiene after a tooth extraction is essential to promote healing of the area. You will not be able to rinse for the first 24 hours after the extraction. You must stay hydrated and drink water to prevent plaque build-up.
- After 24 hours after the extraction, you can rinse gently with warm salt water (if you still have to bleed, rinse with cold water) and brush your teeth relatively normally.
- When spitting, do not spit violently. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles after tooth extraction and make slow, non-aggressive movements. Do not brush the area of the alveolus directly to avoid breaking the clot.
- Do not forget to brush the tongue. Bleeding and plaque also accumulate in this area and can cause bad breath.
What Can I Eat After A Tooth Extraction?
- Do not eat until the effects of the anesthesia have worn off. You could inadvertently bite yourself and hurt yourself.
- The diet you should follow for the first hours is soft. Try to eat foods that are already crushed or that are easy to chew.
- Avoid spicy, very hot, or bubbly foods or drinks for at least 3 days. It is preferable to eat foods at room temperature.
- Also, try not to eat foods with seeds or cereals that may remain anchored in the alveolus.
- After each meal, make sure that the water flushes out any food residue—hydrate well by drinking plenty of fluids.
How Long Does It Take For Gums To Heal After A Tooth Extraction?
IF you have any problem like gum swelling 2 weeks after tooth extraction, do not worry. The gum tissue will heal in about 3 to 4 weeks, and bone tissue can take 6 months. However, if you have had a simple extraction, you should be pain-free in less than two days.
Contact your dentist if there is very persistent bleeding. In the same way, if you feel the area numb or have extreme pain that is not controllable with the painkillers prescribed.
What Should I Do In The Postoperative Period After Dental Extraction?
Preventive care after tooth extraction reduces pain on that discomfort 3 weeks after extraction. During the immediate 24 hours after extraction, it is normal for the area to be sensitive. You will not feel any pain 2 weeks after tooth extraction.
For you to have doubts about acting, what should I rinse my mouth with after an extraction? What care should I take when I have a tooth extracted? How should I sleep after the extraction of a tooth? These are some of the questions most frequently asked.
You must ask your dentist everything you need to know. Here are some general tips to follow after tooth extraction:
Bite down on gauze to stop bleeding
Bite the compressive gauze that the dentist has placed on you, at least for 1 hour. This will stop the bleeding in the area. If after an hour it is still bleeding, remove it and replace it with another one. Do not leave the same gauze on for many hours.
Do not rinse your mouth
Do not rinse your mouth, and as far as possible, swallow saliva, do not spit it out. Make a roll with sterile gauze and wipe away excess saliva or blood if it is too much. Spitting blood or saliva can jump the clot in the wound, delay healing, or even generate an infection.
Apply ice to reduce swelling
If during the first 12 hours you notice the area inflamed or swollen, you can apply a bag with ice or ice wrapped in a cloth. Never heat since heat facilitates inflammation. Do not keep the ice for too long; about 2 minutes is enough.
Sleep with your head up
The first hours after surgery, it is better to keep your head up. If possible, you should sleep with two pillows.
Rest and Relax
You should relax. Sitting is much better than standing or lying down. Do not exert yourself physically for at least 12 hours after tooth extraction.
Take the antibiotics prescribed by the dentist
Take the painkillers prescribed by the dentist, as well as antibiotics. You will not feel pain and prevent the onset of infections. It is usual for the area to be sensitive during the first hours. So, try not to pick at the affected area with your tongue or hands.
Follow a soft diet
Avoid eating until the anesthesia has worn off. Follow a bland diet for the first few hours, avoid spicy foods or very spicy foods and drinks. Also, be sure to drink water to flush out any food in your mouth.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol
This is very much important to follow to avoid those discomfort 3 weeks after extraction. Avoid smoking, at least for the first 24 hours, and ideally for the next 10 to 15 days. Smoking hinders tissue healing. Also, avoid drinking alcohol.
If you follow these tips during the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction, you will have no problems after the intervention, and the discomfort will soon subside.
Home Remedies For Pain Relief After Tooth Extraction
It usually takes several days to recover after a tooth extraction, and the patient feels better overnight. Most of us resort to painkillers a day or two after the extraction, which is the most sensible course of action.
However, other patients do not need any treatment, and homemade methods prove to be sufficient.
Just as with toothache after tooth extraction, cold compresses can also provide relief after tooth extraction. You can use special reusable compresses for this purpose, which must be chilled in the refrigerator before use.
Another option is to apply ice or frozen foods to the surface of the skin. But remember that they should always be wrapped in a cloth to avoid frostbite. Herbal rinses are not recommended. However, intense rinsing of the oral cavity can cause a clot to form and lead to complications.
Don’t forget proper oral hygiene. For a few days after tooth extraction, you should brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. It is also worth following dietary recommendations and eating liquid and pulpy foods to prevent food debris from getting into the wound. Avoid intense chewing.
What To Do If Home Remedies Don’t Relieve Pain After Tooth Extraction?
When you ask how to survive those discomfort 3 weeks after extraction, home remedies are enough in most cases. As mentioned above, most patients need painkillers for 2-3 days after the procedure.
Most of the time, common and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are sufficient. Very rarely, if your tooth extraction site is not healing, stronger medications such as Novalgin after tooth extraction are necessary.
Note: In selected cases, the dentist decides to use antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the development of possible infections as a form of complication.
Final Thoughts
Tooth extraction is the technical term for the fact that a tooth needs to be pulled. Although permanent teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, there are many reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary. If the molar is taking up too much space, it may have to go.
Patients have many questions about this issue. Like, what kind of pain can be expected? What is the tooth extraction process like? What do you have to watch out for after tooth extraction? How to survive those discomfort 3 weeks after extraction?
In this article, I have tried to answer all questions about tooth extraction you need to know. So, we hope you have no confusion left regarding the issue.
