Oral problems such as tooth cavities and gum infections are some of the most painful experiences any normal person would have to go through at least once in their lifetime. Although modern dentistry has seen a development in a number of methods such as root canals to treat most of the cavities, some prefer to choose the route of tooth extraction rather than saving the teeth in an effort to avoid some of the many complications that arise out of an imperfect root canal operation. After a tooth has been extracted, a blood clot will develop at the site of extraction in order to stop the bleeding and commence the healing process. The dentist will usually ask you to bite down on a gauze pad for period of about 30 to 45 minutes after which the bleeding will slow down a bit. However, if the bleeding is still considerable, you may need to replace the pad and bite on it firmly for another 30 minutes or so. Continue doing this till the bleeding has stopped and the blood around the wound has clotted properly. Unless proper care has been taken to prevent against it, infections are a very real and a common problem faced by a number of people who have had their teeth extracted. The bacteria that are normally present within the mouth plays a significant role in the development of this infection. Depending on how badly the tooth was infected that prompted the extraction, the dentist may even prescribe a few antibiotics to prevent against infection just after the extraction.
The infection causing bacteria have an easy access to the site of the tooth extraction as the patient cannot use mouthwash or toothpaste for at least 24 hours after extraction. This allows the bacteria the timeframe it needs to cause a significant amount of havoc. The most prominent sign of an infection is renewed bleeding that normally takes place about 48 hours after the extraction. Oral care after the extraction is highly essential and the patient must remember to avoid any kind of tobacco, alcohol or even vigorous rinsing of the mouth as they can all worsen the condition. After the first 24 hours, make it a point to regularly rinse your mouth with some salt water while you should also limit the kind of food intake to ones that are soft and nutritious, not hot or spicy.
answered by M W