Post-Extraction Instructions for Children and Adults

Introduction:

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure performed to remove a tooth from its dental socket. A dentist performs tooth extraction for various reasons such as dental infection, tooth decay, mobility, overcrowding, or for orthodontic purposes. They are generally performed under local anesthesia. After tooth extraction, it is crucial for blood clot formation and the healing process to start immediately. Hence, post-extraction instructions are recommended to be carefully followed, to prevent swelling of the face, bleeding from the socket, infections, etc.

What are the Post-Extraction Instructions for Kids?

Things To Do:

• After half an hour of dental extraction, it is advisable to remove the cotton pack from the extraction site.

• It is recommended to take pain reliever medication. If required, one can take another medication after 12 hours.

• The children can be given ice cream to eat, but only plain ice cream without any choco chips, or nuts are to be given. The child can have the ice cream with a spoon.

• It is recommended to keep a watch on the children until the anesthesia effect goes off. Because children might bite their lips or tongue due to numbness.

• It is recommended to monitor the children since they tend to put pencil tips or pen tips into the extraction socket.

• It is advisable to drink juice or milk in a glass.

• Give liquid or semi-solid food for 24 hours after the extraction.

• The child can be allowed to brush their teeth the next day.

Things To Avoid:

• Do not place another cotton pack on the extraction site.

• Do not give ice cream in a stick or cone. Do not give any cool drinks using a straw.

• Avoid giving juice with a straw because having liquids through a straw, causes dislodgement of blood clots due to the sucking action.

• Avoid hot food, for a day the child should be on a cold or normal temperature diet.

• Do not brush on the same day.

What are the Post-Extraction Instructions forAdults?

Things To Do:

• After half an hour of extraction, It is advisable to remove the cotton pack from the extraction site.

• One can have a cup of ice cream without choco chips and nuts because they might get lodged into the extraction site.

• Patients who are diabetic can have a glass of cold water or milk.

• Immediately after the extraction, it is advisable to apply ice or a cold pack from outside, as it will cause vasoconstriction and decreased swelling.

• It is recommended to keep drinking plenty of water and to stay hydrated.

• It is advisable to have liquid or semi-solid food for 24 hrs.

• When there is pain post-extraction, it is advisable to take a pain reliever medication.

• One should brush their teeth after 24 hours of extraction.

• Patients who had stopped Ecosporin prior to the dental extraction are advised to consult their physician and start the medication again.

• Patients on any kind of medication are advised to consult their physician and follow as they advise.

• Take the antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed by the dentist.

• After 24 hours of extraction, it is recommended to start doing lukewarm saline mouth rinse 3 to 4 times daily, it will help in the healing of the socket.

• If sutures were placed, it is advisable to get them removed from the dentist after 7 days.

• Start chewing food from the extraction side after three to four days. It is better to start eating on the side of extraction earlier.

Things To Avoid:

• Do not spit and gargle for the next 24 hours of extraction; whatever blood oozes out, swallow it with saliva because spitting will lead to bleeding.

• Avoid eating hot or spicy food for 24 hours.

• No smoking or drinking alcohol or soda for the next 7 days.

• Avoid the use of straws while having cold drinks, it leads to dislodgement of the blood clot.

• Do not eat anything till the anesthesia effect is present, you might tend to bite your lips or tongue.

• Do not place another cotton pack at the extraction site, as it will lead to infection and delayed healing.

• It is recommended to not stop any medication by oneself, as it may lead to medical problems.

• Do not give hot compression from the outside, it will lead to swelling.

What are the Post-Extraction Complications?

Not following post-extraction care increases the risk of post-extraction complications. The possible complications are:

1. Prolonged bleeding - The bleeding can last from 8 to 72 hours after the extraction. If bleeding still continues profusely after 12 hours, it is recommended to consult the dentist.

2. Dry socket (Alveolitis) - If the blood clot formed in the extraction site gets dislodged, it results in a dry socket. It is an extremely painful condition. The clot tends to dislodge while using a straw, gargling forcefully, spitting after extraction, or smoking.

3. Infection - If the extraction site gets contaminated, it can result in the spread of infection. Always take the antibiotics prescribed by the dentist.

4. Bruising - Bruising is bleeding under the skin, which occurs when the small blood vessels get damaged. It is a very common complication.

5. Trismus - Restricted mouth opening after extraction is called a trismus.

6. Swelling - Depending on how traumatic the extraction was, the extent of swelling will vary. If the bone had to be drilled to remove the tooth, the swelling would be more. To avoid this, place ice packs after getting the tooth extracted, and do not eat anything hot for 24 hours.

7. Osteomyelitis - Bacterial infection of the bone. The dentist will prescribe antibiotics to prevent this condition.

8. Osteonecrosis - Lack of blood supply can lead to the death of bone cells called osteonecrosis.

When to See a Dentist?

One might have pain and bleeding after the extraction. And also have swelling, but patients with the following signs or symptoms are recommended to consult their dentist:

• Fever and chills.

• Vomiting.

• Profuse bleeding and pain even after 4 hours.

• Severe swelling.

• Foul-smelling discharge from the extraction site.

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest pain.

• Severe nausea.

Conclusion:

Dental extractions are procedures performed for various reasons like tooth decay, infection, and orthodontic purposes. It Is strictly recommended to maintain oral hygiene measures and post-extraction instructions to prevent complications. Patients who are experiencing the above-mentioned complications are recommended to consult their dentist immediately.