It was said that Elizabeth I of England had to reschedule a meeting with a politician because she was suffering from a swollen face. Whether this is true or not, it may be safe to assume that she had a tooth abscess because of the appalling Tudor era dental hygiene. Their lack of oral care led to more dangerous teeth extraction, the fifth or sixth cause of death during this period. 

Thankfully, we live in modern times because we have established dental care practices. However, this does not mean that you will take teeth extraction lightly. Kindly take the necessary steps to ensure your healing. The following will help speed up recovery:

Rest

We often take rest for granted. However, this body function is necessary to remain healthy, and the recovery process requires a lot of it. Getting enough rest will help relieve the swelling and speed up bone healing. It will also help you recover lost nutrients and boost the immune system.

No one cannot stress it enough that our body needs time to heal. It would be foolhardy to engage in strenuous activities during your recuperation period. Doing so may slow down the healing process. 

When you sleep, you should slightly raise your head. Doing so will prevent the formation of swelling and enhance your sleep quality.

Eat a Soft Diet

Your dentist will recommend a soft diet after teeth extraction because this diet will prevent irritation of the empty tooth socket. You should avoid tough and chewy food as well.  

Soft foods will move quickly through the mouth and down the esophagus. It will prevent you from choking, especially if you are still recovering from the anesthesia. Nonetheless, you can eat your favorite soft food.

It is also essential to eat many fruits and vegetables to get the nutrients and vitamins. One excellent way is by juicing fruits and vegetables. You can also blend them into frozen smoothies.

Do Not Smoke

Smoking can worsen the healing process by causing the blood vessels to constrict and cause more pain and swelling. It also slows down the blood circulation and can cause the blood pH to change. Smoking is not suitable for your health, regardless of what stage of healing you are in.

If you smoke, you should know that you are doing a lot of harm to your oral health. Once you quit smoking, you can avoid gum disease, oral cancer, tooth loss, bad breath, and cavities.

Avoid Using Straws

While it is okay to drink through straws, you should avoid drinking through straws after your teeth are extracted. Drinking through straws can dislodge the clot and may affect your recovery.  

Another reason you should avoid straws is that they can affect saliva production. It will keep your mouth dry and make you uncomfortable. Saliva is needed to keep your mouth clean and prevent food particles from clinging to the empty tooth socket.

Conclusion

Having teeth extracted may be a scary experience. However, the good news is you will eventually recover and get back to your daily routines. Still, you need to pay attention to the healing process to avoid complications.

If you need teeth extraction, you should approach Oro Valley Dental Arts. We will take care of your dental needs, so visit us for any oral problems.