What Can Be Expected After a Tooth Extraction?
After a tooth extraction, patients can expect to have minor bleeding and slight pain when the anesthesia wears off, according to WebMD. People who have had a tooth extraction should eat soft foods and avoid drinking with a straw.
It is important that a clot be able to form after a tooth extraction has been performed. This will help to stop the bleeding and will help the gum heal faster. In order for a clot to form, patients should be sure to bite firmly down on the gauze that the doctor has given them. People should also avoid smoking because the nicotine can inhibit the healing of the gum where the tooth was extracted.
A tooth extraction is performed on people who have a diseased tooth or gum or have a tooth that is causing too much space to be taken up in their mouth. The procedure is performed by a dentist and is generally done in a dental office. It is an outpatient procedure and does not require a lengthy recovery period. Dentists will often use a local anesthetic to ensure that no pain is felt during the procedure. Teeth that are impacted or underneath the jaw bone may require a dentist to use a general anesthesia.
