Pain medications can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both recommended for pain relief after tooth extraction. Additionally, cold compresses can be used to reduce swelling. Applying an ice pack or washcloth filled with crushed ice against the affected area for 20 minutes multiple times a day will help decrease inflammation. Keeping the head elevated while sleeping also aids in reducing inflammation by improving blood circulation. Lastly, it is important to keep the area clean and dry after a tooth extraction to minimize inflammation and prevent infection; gently rinsing with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt per 8 ounces of warm water) after meals may help promote healing. To ensure that any post-operative complications do not arise, it is best to follow up with your dentist after the procedure.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is often the last resort a dentist uses when a tooth can no longer be saved.
When a tooth is pulled, it creates a wound in the mouth that can become infected.
To prevent the inflammation or disease of a tooth from progressing, possibly even attacking the jaw, it is sometimes necessary to extract the tooth.
Unfortunately, tooth extraction is often a purely financial decision as well. If a patient does not have enough money to pay for extensive reconstruction of the teeth, tooth extraction is often the only last resort.
In some cases, public health insurers only pay for the cost of tooth extraction. The costs of a sometimes expensive treatment, however, they do not take over.
Cause: wound after tooth extraction
When your dentist has to pull a tooth, a more or less large wound is always left in the mouth, depending on the size of the tooth.
If foreign bodies get into the wound, inflammation can develop after tooth extraction.
Luckily, the gums are one of the fastest-healing areas of the body.
However, as long as the wound is open, foreign bodies and bacteria can get into the wound, causing inflammation.
Also read more about common causes of tooth inflammation that are not related to tooth extraction.
Support wound healing
The wound after tooth extraction can take up to 14 days to heal completely. Within this time, you can actively support wound healing.
They can speed up wound healing. Watch out, though; some painkillers can slow healing.
Here’s a list of the best tips to promote wound healing:
- Do not rinse your mouth or spit vigorously for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction.
- Do not use electric toothbrushes for the first few days.
- Brush the wound site gently instead with a surgical toothbrush with especially soft bristles.
- If possible, avoid nicotine and coffee, as well as very hot drinks.
- Take only the medications that your dentist has recommended.
Aspirin, for example, decreases blood clotting, so you should never take it if you have an open wound.
By following these tips, you will help your gums close the wound as quickly as possible.
The better the wound heals, the sooner you will be able to brush your teeth again as usual. After 48 hours, most wounds in the mouth have already formed an initial protective layer.
Symptoms: Is my tooth cavity inflamed?
The sooner you notice an inflammation, the easier it is to treat. For this reason, you should keep a close eye on how your wound looks after you pull your tooth.
Inflammation after tooth extraction is noticeable by a variety of symptoms.
Often, pain does not appear until the inflammation is already in an advanced stage.
As soon as you experience any of the following symptoms in the course of a tooth extraction in the days that follow, be sure to see your doctor:
- Reddened wound edges
- Bloody wound
- Fever
Inflammation after tooth extraction is statistically not very common. The gums form a protective film in a very short time, which covers and protects the wound.
Despite this, thorough oral hygiene is necessary to prevent tooth inflammation after tooth extraction.
After a tooth is extracted, mild pain is also the norm for the first 48 hours. So pain does not mean that the tooth cavity has become inflamed.
When should you see a doctor?
As soon as you even suspect that the wound may have become infected after tooth extraction, you should make an appointment with your dentist right away.
If the wound becomes infected, you should see your dentist.
It is always better to ask the dentist for his opinion than to drag out a possible inflammation.
Don’t wait until you feel pain. Dark red gums and sore edges are sufficient symptoms to visit the dentist immediately.
Treatment procedure
If there is indeed inflammation of the tooth cavity, a dentist must treat it. Home remedies or pain pills may relieve pain, but they do not remove the cause of the inflammation.
- Treatment with antibiotics is a first step to treat inflammation after tooth extraction. These are available by prescription.
- Sometimes the dentist will also take an X-ray to determine how deep the inflammation has progressed.
If necessary and possible, the dentist also removes pus residue and other foreign bodies from the wound. Often doctors use anti-inflammatory tamponades, which they place directly into the wound.
Depending on how extensive the inflammation is, it can take up to 10 or 14 days for it to subside completely.
A visit to the doctor is always the first step to have inflammation treated after a tooth is pulled.
How can you prevent inflammation?
If you are concerned that you may get an infection after tooth extraction, you should make sure to keep the wound in the oral cavity as clean as possible.
A first measure is thorough and regular oral hygiene. Brush both teeth and interdental spaces thoroughly after every meal, thereby removing plaque and bacteria.
- You should be particularly careful when cleaning the wound. Special antibacterial mouthwashes help to keep the wound clean.
- In the first few days after tooth removal, however, you should use them with extreme caution and without pressure.
In these guides on oral hygiene, you will find many other tips for healthy oral hygiene, which can also help you to avoid inflammation after tooth extraction.
Conclusion: any tooth infection can be dangerous
Whether you got an infection after tooth extraction or due to plaque and bacterial buildup, get it treated by a professional as soon as possible
Inflammation spreads and can still do a lot of damage even in tooth cavities where the tooth has been removed.
Because many wounds are deep after a tooth extraction, inflammation can spread to the jawbone relatively quickly. Rapid treatment is therefore absolutely essential.
After tooth extraction, you will receive very specific instructions from your dentist on how to care for the wound.
As a rule, doctors also prescribe painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. Strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid inflammation after tooth extraction as best as possible.
Natural remedies for reducing inflammation after tooth extraction, such as tea tree oil and turmeric
Tooth extraction is a common procedure that many people undergo. However, this process can lead to inflammation, which can be uncomfortable and painful. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can help reduce inflammation and promote healing after tooth extraction.
One of the most effective natural remedies for reducing inflammation is tea tree oil. This oil is a powerful natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, which can help reduce pain, swelling, and redness after tooth extraction. To use tea tree oil, mix a few drops with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and gently massage the affected area around the tooth socket.
Another natural remedy that can help reduce inflammation after tooth extraction is turmeric. This spice has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce pain, swelling, and redness. To use turmeric, mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a few drops of water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
In addition to tea tree oil and turmeric, there are other natural remedies for reducing inflammation after tooth extraction. These include clove oil, aloe vera gel, and chamomile tea. Clove oil is a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, which can help reduce pain and swelling. Aloe vera gel is well-known for its soothing and healing properties, and can help reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. Chamomile tea is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent, which can help reduce pain, swelling, and redness.
In conclusion, there are various natural remedies available for reducing inflammation after tooth extraction. These remedies are safe, effective, and easy to use. By incorporating these natural remedies into your post-tooth extraction routine, you can reduce your discomfort and promote a faster and healthier recovery. Always remember to consult with your dentist or doctor before starting any new remedy.
