Post-Extraction Oral Care: A Guide to Brushing After Tooth Removal

According to My New Smile, a tooth extraction can be one of the most traumatic dental procedures there is. A tooth extraction involves a dentist using tools called dental elevators and forceps to pull the entire tooth from the flesh above and around it. After the procedure, a patient will suffer from swelling, which can caring for the teeth painful. It is important to keep the teeth and mouth clean after the extraction to help stave off infection and protect the remaining teeth.

Things You'll Need

• Table salt
• Water
• Soft bristled toothbrush
• Toothpaste

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Instructions

• 1

  Wait 12 hours after the surgery before attempting to rinse or brush your teeth. This could dislodge a blood clot that has formed at the extraction point, which could lead to dry socket. When dry socket occurs, the patient can experience pain because the bone and nerve ending at the extraction point are exposed to air, food or fluids. Dry socket, according to Dr. Dan Peterson, can hinder the healing process.

• 2

  Rinse your mouth out with a mixture of one tbsp. salt for every eight oz. of warm water every two hours and after brushing your teeth. This will help keep the incision clean.

• 3

  Brush the teeth around the extraction point gently with a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Avoid brushing the gums, as this could cause further tearing around the surgical suture.

• 4

  Continue this routine until the sutures have dissolved or been removed, anywhere from seven to ten days.