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• Part 1 of 3: Taking care of your gums after tooth extraction
• Part 2 of 3: Understanding the healing process after tooth extraction
• Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your gums before getting a tooth extracted
• Warnings

If a tooth has been extracted, a wound has formed in the gums and jawbone. If you don't take care of this properly, it can lead to serious and painful complications. If you know how to take the necessary precautions before and after an extraction, the healing process will go smoothly.

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Part 1 of 3: Taking care of your gums after tooth extraction

1. Gently bite the gauze. After extracting a molar or tooth, the dentist will place a piece of gauze over the wound to stop the bleeding. Make sure to bite the gauze lightly to put pressure on the wound and stop the bleeding. If it continues to bleed heavily, you may need to put the gauze on the wound better.
   • Do not talk, because then the gauze will come loose and it will bleed more, because the blood cannot clot properly.
   • If the gauze gets too wet, you can replace it with a new one; However, do not change the gauze more than necessary, and do not spit out your saliva, as this prevents the blood from clotting as quickly.
   • Do not touch the area where the molar or tooth was extracted with your fingers or tongue, blow your nose, or try to sneeze or cough. The pressure can cause the wound to bleed again. Also, do not keep your hand on your cheek where the tooth or molar was pulled, because it will get too hot there.
   • Remove the gauze 30-45 minutes after extraction and look in the mirror to see if it is still bleeding.
2. Take a pain reliever. Only take a medicine prescribed by your dentist. If your dentist has not prescribed you, you can take an over-the-counter medicine for the pain. If your dentist has prescribed antibiotics, take them.
   • Take the first dose of painkillers before the anesthetic wears off. Take painkillers and antibiotics as stated in the package insert.
3. Use an ice pack. Place an ice pack on your face at the site of the extraction. An icepack reduces bleeding and swelling by causing blood vessels to contract. Put the ice on it for 10 to 20 minutes, then let it off for 30 minutes. Always wrap an icepack with a towel. Never put it directly on your skin. You can do this for the first 24 to 48 hours. After 48 hours, the swelling should have subsided and the ice no longer provides relief.
   • You can also use a plastic bag of ice cubes if you don't have an ice pack.
   • Do not put your hand on the extraction site, as it will get too hot.
4. Use tea bags. Tea contains tannin, which helps the blood to clot by constricting blood vessels. With a tea bag you can reduce bleeding. If you notice that it starts to bleed again after a few hours, place a wet tea bag on the area where the tooth was extracted and bite it gently to put pressure on it. Do this for 20-30 minutes. It may also be good to drink cold tea, but it is better to place a tea bag directly on the wound.
5. Gargle with warm saline solution. Wait until the morning after extracting the tooth or choose before rinsing your mouth. You can make a warm saline solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass with 250 ml of warm water. Gargle slowly, taking care not to build up any pressure. Move your tongue from cheek to cheek a few times and then spit out the solution to prevent the wound from reopening.
   • Repeat the rinsing with this solution four to five times a day for several days, especially after meals and before going to bed.
6. Get plenty of rest. If you are well rested, your blood pressure remains stable, which is good for blood clotting and gum healing. Do not over exert yourself for at least 24 hours after the extraction, keep your head slightly higher, and make sure you do not choke on your blood or saliva.
   • Try to sleep with an extra pillow, and do not sleep on the side where the molar or tooth was pulled, so that the heat does not thin the blood.
   • Do not bend over or lift heavy things.
   • Sit upright.
7. Brush your teeth. After 24 hours, brush your teeth and tongue gently, though do not bring the toothbrush near the wound. Instead, rinse the wound with the saline solution as described above so that you do not interfere with wound healing. Follow this procedure for about three or four days.
   • You can also floss or use mouthwash as normal. Just don't floss at the wound. Use an antiseptic mouthwash or a rinse prescribed by your dentist to kill bacteria and prevent infections.
8. Use chlorhexidine gel. You can apply this from the day after the extraction so that the wound heals faster. It prevents bacteria from building up in the wound. It also helps against pain and discomfort.
   • Do not apply the gel directly into the hole. Only do it on the gums around the wound.
9. After 24 to 48 hours, put something warm on your cheek. This stimulates blood flow, which speeds up healing and reduces pain and swelling. About 36 hours after extracting the tooth, place or select a warm, wet towel on your cheek at the site of the extraction. Let the cloth sit for 20 minutes and then let it off for 20 minutes.
10. Watch what you eat. Wait for the anesthetic to wear off before eating. Start with soft foods, and chew on the opposite side to where the tooth was pulled. Preferably eat something soft and cold, such as an ice cream, to relieve the pain. Do not eat hard, crunchy, crumbly or hot things yet, and do not use a straw as this can open the wound again.
    • Eat regularly and don't skip meals.
    • Eat food at room temperature or colder, but nothing warm or hot.
    • Eat soft and moderately cold foods such as ice cream, a smoothie, pudding, yogurt or soup. This is especially good right after the pull, as it relieves the pain a bit. Make sure what you eat is not too cold or hard, and do not chew on the side where the wound is. Food that is difficult to chew (such as cruesli, nuts, popcorn, etc.) can be painful to eat and can damage the wound. When the first few days have passed, slowly switch to a slightly firmer diet.
    • Do not use a straw. Drinking through a straw puts pressure on the wound from sucking, which can cause it to bleed again. To avoid this, take small sips or use a spoon.
    • Do not eat spicy or sticky things, do not have hot drinks, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and soda with carbonation.
    • Do not smoke or choose not to smoke for at least the first 24 hours after extraction.

Part 2 of 3: Understanding the healing process after tooth extraction

1. Expect it to swell. Your gums and mouth will swell as a result of the extraction, and it will likely hurt. This is normal and will decrease after two to three days. During that time, use an ice pack on your cheek to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
2. Expect it to bleed. After a tooth extraction, the wound may bleed because there are many small blood vessels in the gums and jawbone. The bleeding should never be very extreme or very much. If it does, the mesh may not fit properly. Call your dentist and put the gauze back on if necessary.
3. Do not touch the wound. A blood clot will form in the first two days and it is very important that you do not touch it or remove it. Clotting of the blood is necessary for healing, and removing the clot can cause the wound to hurt and become infected.
4. Expect the epithelial cells to form a layer. For the first 10 days, gum cells will form a layer of epithelial cells that seal the wound. It is important not to disturb this process while the wound is healing.
5. Expect bone deposition. After a layer of epithelial cells has formed, the bone-forming cells in the bone marrow are activated. This process usually starts at the walls of the cavity and then continues towards the center. In this way, the hole created by pulling the tooth or molar is completely filled.Completely closing the hole through bone deposition takes about a year, but the gums will go over the hole after just two weeks, so don't worry.

Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your gums before getting a tooth extracted

1. Tell your dentist or oral surgeon about any conditions you have. Always tell us which medicines you are taking. These can affect the treatment and cause problems during or after the procedure.
   • In patients with diabetes, wounds generally heal less quickly because the bleeding takes longer. Try to keep blood sugar as close to normal as possible so that the wound heals faster after a tooth has been extracted, and tell your dentist that you have diabetes and what the result of your last glucose test was. Your dentist can then determine whether your blood sugar level is good enough for tooth extraction.
   • Patients with high blood pressure should be aware that certain medications for this can cause bleeding gums. This can cause complications if the medicine is taken just before extraction of a tooth. Tell your dentist about any medications you are currently taking or have just taken.
   • Patients taking blood thinners should inform their dentist before a tooth or molar is extracted, as these types of drugs can prevent the blood from clotting.
   • Patients using oral contraceptives that contain estrogen may also have problems with blood clotting. Inform your dentist if you are currently using the contraceptive pill.
   • Some medications used for a long time can cause a dry mouth, which can be more likely to lead to infection if a tooth has been extracted. Consult your dentist for treatment. Also, talk to your doctor before adjusting the dosage of any medications you are taking.
2. Know that smoking can cause problems. Smoking is a known factor in gum disease. In addition, the physical mouth movement of smoking can cause the wound to open again, slowing healing. Tobacco can irritate a sensitive wound and hinder healing.
   • If you smoke, consider quitting before having your tooth extracted.
   • If you do not plan to quit smoking, be aware that you should not smoke for the first 48 hours after extracting a tooth. You should not use chewing tobacco for at least seven days after extraction.
3. Consult your doctor. Let your doctor know that you need to have a tooth extracted to prevent problems with existing conditions or medications you are taking.

Warnings

• If you are still in a lot of pain after a week, go back to your dentist.
• Do not drink coffee for at least six hours before the treatment, as this can interfere with the anesthetic.
• If the pain gets worse after two days, call the dentist. A piece of the jaw bone may then be exposed.
• You may experience light bleeding or discolored saliva for the first 12 to 24 hours. If it's still bleeding heavily after three to four hours, call your dentist.
• If you feel sharp, bony bits left over from a tooth extraction, call your dentist. Some bone deposits are normal, but any sharp bits of bone left behind can be painful and should be removed. Call your dentist if you think there is still something in the wound.