307-789-5608 While your natural teeth are always the most optimal choice for your smile, trauma and disease can result in severe damage to your teeth that even a dental restoration can’t overcome. If we need to perform a tooth extraction, we can help you protect the tooth socket until it is ready for tooth replacement.
After a tooth is extracted, the space left behind forms a blood clot so that the empty space is not left vulnerable to bacteria and infection and there is less risk of the jawbone or nerves becoming irritated. We recommend that you exercise caution with the blood clot because if it becomes dislodged and falls out, you could develop dry socket. When a blood clot is lost, the healing site can be left vulnerable to infection and cause ongoing oral discomfort. We can help you prevent further complications to the extraction site following the removal of a tooth.
Dr. Nathan Lester can provide instruction on how to care for your smile, such as not brushing your teeth for the first day after your procedure and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash instead. When you do begin using a toothbrush again, avoid the extraction site until it is healed and brush the neighboring teeth very carefully.
For the first few days after your procedure, we recommend eating only soft and cool foods to minimize chewing. Use the opposite side of your mouth to chew so that you don’t involve the extraction site. We advise against using a straw because the suction can upset the blood clot. Similarly, using tobacco or smoking should be avoided to lower the risk of infection and a damaged blood clot.
You are welcome to contact Wyoming Dental Specialties at 307-789-5608 today to learn more about what to expect from tooth extraction in Evanston, Wyoming.