Behavior after the procedure
Immediately after the procedure, the area can be cooled to avoid swelling. Patients often complain about a swollen cheek. Hard food should only be eaten after about a day in order to avoid opening the wound itself again and again.
Dairy products contain lactic acid bacteria that can dissolve and destroy the blood coagulum prematurely. There is a danger of the already discussed Alveolitis sicca. The dentist will usually give you a prescription or tablets to take home for any pain that may occur.
Ibuprofen is often the drug of choice. Any painkiller that does not act as a blood thinner can be taken. On the day before the extraction and one or two days after it, aspirin should not be taken because it dilutes the blood and greatly impairs wound healing.Caffeine also has a blood-thinning effect and should therefore only be consumed in moderation one or two days after the procedure.
Smoking should also be avoided until the wound has healed, as the smoke extremely slows down the healing process. The extraction wound heals after about one week. It is possible to eat after a tooth extraction when the anesthesia has completely subsided.
Before that, the risk of injury is too high, as parts of the cheek, tongue and lip may be numbed and the patient may not notice if he bites on the affected area or if the tea or soup is too hot. After the local anesthesia has worn off, soft food should be resorted to in the first few days, hard foods such as nuts should be avoided in order not to overload the teeth in the affected area. Coffee should also be avoided as it increases blood pressure and blood flow and can thus promote inflammation.
Homeopathic remedies can support dental therapy by promoting wound healing and strengthening the weakened immune system to prevent infections. Nevertheless, it is important to consult with the dentist in order to find the right preparation. After tooth extractions, globules of choice are Arnica and Calendula in D12, which can relieve swelling and pain.
Bellis perennis and Chamomilla recutita in potency D12 allow to counteract infections and to reduce symptoms. The globules Belladonna, also in D12, are effective against pain after treatment. The regular dosage of all these globules is three times a five globules daily.
Smoking is contraindicated after a tooth extraction procedure, as it interferes with the process of wound healing and promotes infections. The carbon monoxide and nicotine contained in the globules reduce the oxygen content, which is crucial for the healing of wounds. In addition, smoking directly after the procedure worsens the blood circulation.
The tar from the cigarette can be deposited in the wound and prevent the blood clot from turning into connective tissue cells within the wound. The process of wound healing is slowed down, and severe pain due to infection can also occur. The bacteria have an easier entry into the wound after extraction and, in the worst case, can cause blood poisoning, a so-called sepsis, with life-threatening consequences.
Therefore, smoking should be avoided for the first three days after tooth extraction. Alcohol after a tooth extraction is contraindicated as it has a blood-thinning effect and interferes with clotting. If the patient drinks alcohol after the procedure, there is a risk of post-operative bleeding, resulting in a need to visit the dental office for subsequent treatment.
Furthermore, alcohol also increases the risk of infection. Bacteria can settle more easily in the wound and multiply more quickly, as the blood circulation is increased. Therefore, a minimum abstinence from alcohol of at least three days is required until the wound edges have approached and almost closed.
