Recovering From a Tooth Extraction

By George Hurwitz | Published on September 13, 2011 | 0 Comments

Nobody would say that a tooth extraction is a fun procedure, however Dr. George A. Hurwitz, DDS, PA, an oral surgeon in Columbia, MD, says tooth extraction procedures are generally much easier on patients who know what to expect beforehand.

Specifically, the Columbia, MD, tooth extraction specialist offers patients a series of post-operative instructions to prepare them for what to expect after having one or more teeth taken out. These instructions run the gamut, from explaining what to expect in terms of swelling—and making sure that patients know what level of swelling is completely normal—to what types of medication are and are not acceptable to take in the days after the extraction procedure.

Dr. Hurwitz and his team of tooth extraction experts in Columbia, MD, will prescribe certain medications to patients that can keep swelling down to a minimum in the hours and days following an extraction. The specific medications that an oral surgeon prescribes will depend on a number of factors, including any allergies that the patient has.

In addition to taking certain prescription medications and expecting a fair degree of swelling, Dr. Hurwitz says that patients should stick to a soft diet for three to four days after their extraction procedures. This is necessary in order to give the mouth time to heal before exerting any undue pressure on the remaining teeth.

The length of time that a person can expect to need to recover from a tooth extraction will depend on a number of variables, such as which teeth were taken out and the age of the patient. In general terms, Dr. Hurwitz is a tooth extraction specialist in Columbia, MD, who says most people need at least two to four days to rest at home after their procedures before they can expect to start feeling more like themselves again. He also emphasizes the fact that patients need to take all of their medications as prescribed if they want to get back on their feet in the shortest amount of time.

Although a small percentage of extraction patients will suffer from a condition known as a dry socket, Dr. Hurwitz says this is something that people should not worry about beforehand. If dry socket occurs, a patient needs only to come back into Hurwitz’s office. While there, Dr. Hurwitz will place a small piece of medicated gauze on the affected area. This medicated gauze will alleviate most of the discomfort. After a few days with the gauze, Dr. Hurwitz says the patient can come back to have it taken out, after which he or she should be on the path toward a speedy recovery.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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