Extracting a tooth is a standard dental procedure, whether due to decay, infection, crowding, or injury. While tooth extractions are typically quick and routine, proper aftercare is essential to ensure smooth healing, avoid complications, and return to feeling like yourself as soon as possible. Here’s a guide to the best practices for post-tooth extraction care.

Control Bleeding with Gauze

Immediately after your extraction, we will place gauze over the site to help stop the bleeding and aid in clot formation.

• Bite gently but firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes.
• If bleeding continues, replace with a fresh piece and apply gentle pressure.
• Avoid spitting, as it may dislodge the clot and cause more bleeding.

Protect the Blood Clot

A crucial part of healing is the formation of a blood clot at the extraction site. This clot protects the underlying bone and nerve endings. If it becomes dislodged, it can lead to a dry socket, a painful complication that delays healing. To protect the clot:

• Avoid drinking through straws for at least 48 hours.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
• Skip vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours.
• Avoid carbonated or hot drinks, as they can interfere with clotting.

Manage Pain and Swelling

Mild to moderate discomfort is normal after an extraction. Follow your dentist’s instructions for pain relief:

• Use prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications as directed.
• Apply an ice pack on the outside of your cheek in 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling during the first 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, switch to warm compresses if needed for comfort.

Stick to Soft Foods

Your mouth will be sensitive for a few days, so stick to a soft food diet:

• Start with options like applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and broth.
• Avoid crunchy, spicy, acidic, or hard foods that could irritate the area or get lodged in the socket.
• Gradually return to your regular diet as healing progresses.

Practice Gentle Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean helps prevent infection, but you’ll need to be gentle:

• Avoid brushing directly over the extraction site for the first couple of days.
• Starting 24 hours after the procedure, gently rinse with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz). Do this a few times a day, especially after meals.
• Continue brushing and flossing your other teeth carefully.

Know When to Call Us

Healing typically takes about 7–10 days. If you notice any of the following, contact your dentist right away:

• Persistent or severe pain.
• Excessive bleeding.
• Signs of infection (swelling, pus, fever).
• Bad breath or foul taste in your mouth.
• No improvement after a few days.

Tooth extractions are a step toward better oral health, but recovery depends on how well you care for the area afterward. Following these tips and staying in touch with your dentist will help ensure a comfortable, speedy healing process. If you need additional help caring for your tooth extraction site, please let us know!

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Dental anxiety is more common than you might think—and thankfully, modern dentistry offers several types of sedation to help patients feel calm and comfortable during treatment. Whether routine cleaning or complex procedures, sedation dentistry allows patients to relax and receive care without fear or stress.

Three main types of sedation are used in dental offices: nitrous oxide, oral, and IV sedation. Each method offers different levels of relaxation and is suited to other patient needs. Here’s a breakdown of how they work, differ, and when they might be used.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is one of dentistry’s most widely used forms of sedation. Administered through a small mask placed over the nose, nitrous oxide helps patients feel calm and at ease within minutes. Key features include:

• The mildest form of sedation
• Effects wear off quickly after the mask is removed
• Patients remain awake and responsive
• Safe for children and adults
• Can drive home after the appointment

Laughing gas can be best for mild anxiety, routine cleanings, or minor procedures. It’s ideal for patients who want a light, calming effect without lingering drowsiness.

Oral Sedation

About an hour before your dental appointment, oral sedation involves taking a prescribed sedative pill, such as diazepam or triazolam. Depending on the dosage and patient response, the effects range from mild to moderate sedation. Key features include:

• Taken by mouth (pill form)
• Produces a more profound sense of relaxation than nitrous oxide
• Patients may feel drowsy or fall asleep but can usually be awakened easily
• Amnesia or memory loss of the procedure is common
• You must arrange for someone to drive you home

Oral sedation can be best for patients with moderate dental anxiety, longer procedures, or who want to be less aware of their treatment experience.

IV Sedation

IV sedation, or intravenous sedation, delivers the sedative medication directly into the bloodstream via a vein. This method allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation in real time, offering more profound and controlled relaxation. Key features include:

• Fast-acting and highly effective
• Profound sedation, often with little or no memory of the procedure
• You remain conscious but in a deeply relaxed state
• Continuous monitoring of heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure.
• Requires a driver and recovery time afterward

IV sedation can be best for patients with severe dental anxiety, extensive or surgical procedures, and patients who need multiple treatments completed in one visit.

Choosing the Right Sedation Option

The right type of sedation depends on your level of anxiety, the procedure being done, and your overall health. Our team will review your medical history, discuss your comfort preferences, and recommend the safest and most effective option.

Need more information on sedation dentistry? Contact our team today!

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Dental implants are one of the most effective and long-lasting solutions for replacing missing teeth. Designed to mimic the function and appearance of natural teeth, implants can restore your smile, boost your confidence, and improve your overall oral health. However, like natural teeth, dental implants require consistent and proper care to ensure longevity and prevent complications like peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant).

Whether you’re considering dental implants or already have them, here’s everything you need to know about caring for them effectively.

Maintain a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine

Dental implants may not decay like natural teeth, but they require regular cleaning to prevent plaque buildup and gum disease. A consistent oral hygiene routine is key:

• Brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste.
• Use an electric toothbrush for more efficient plaque removal, especially around the implant.
• Floss once daily using floss designed for implants or interdental brushes that gently clean around the implant base.
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria and keep the area clean.

Stay Current on Your Regular Dental Checkups

Routine dental visits are essential for monitoring your implant’s and surrounding tissues’ health. Our team will:

• Examine the implant for stability and proper integration with the bone.
• Check your gums for signs of inflammation or infection.
• Perform professional cleanings to remove hardened plaque (tartar) that brushing and flossing might miss.

Visiting us every six months or more frequently is recommended if advised.

Avoid Harmful Habits

Certain lifestyle habits can negatively impact the health and longevity of your dental implants. To protect your investment:

• Avoid smoking, which reduces blood flow to the gums and can interfere with healing and bone integration.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages or bite on hard objects like pens or ice. This can damage the implant crown.
• Limit sticky or hard foods that can excessively pressure your implants or natural teeth.

Check Your Bite and Comfort

Dental implants are designed to function like natural teeth, but if you notice any changes in your bite, discomfort, or a feeling that the implant is loose, don’t ignore it. Contact our team promptly. Early intervention can prevent serious complications and ensure your implant remains secure and functional.

Consider a Night Guard if You Grind Your Teeth

If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), wearing a night guard can protect your implant from excessive pressure and wear. Grinding can stress the implant over time and potentially compromise its placement.

Dental implants are a durable, natural-looking solution for tooth replacement, but their success greatly depends on how well you care for them. With proper oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and mindful habits, your implants can last for decades—helping you smile confidently and comfortably every day. All in all, treat your dental implants like natural teeth and you should be just fine! 

If you have issues with your dental implants or are interested in getting them, contact our team today!

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