Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After an Extraction

Did you know that the average person has an estimated 700 different strains of bacteria in their mouth?

Most of them are perfectly harmless, but your mouth is the gateway to your body, and where a tooth has been extracted, it forms the perfect entry point for harmful bacteria. So what are the best ways to keep your mouth healthy after an extraction?

Brian LaBombard, DMD, is the expert dentist behind Airport Dental Care in Austin, Texas. He is a strong believer in the adage that says prevention is better than cure. He understands the necessity of proper post-extraction care in order to prevent oral health problems. Without a proper understanding of how to take care of your mouth after an extraction, you could be heading for trouble. So here are Dr. LaBombard’s top five tips to keep your mouth healthy after you’ve had a tooth removed.

1. Brush your teeth daily

Do you know why you have to brush your teeth daily? The major reason is to remove plaque, which tends to build up with every meal that you eat. Left to accumulate, plaque — formed from a combination of bacteria and food particles — can lead to gingivitis, which is the yellow lining that occurs at the base of the tooth. 

Gingivitis subsequently leads to swollen, bleeding gums. Where an open wound is, bacteria can enter the bloodstream causing a range of complications.

2. Floss daily

Just as brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that’s approved by the American Dental Association is important, so is flossing on a daily basis, especially if you’ve recently had a tooth extracted. Food particles that tend to get stuck between teeth can become sponges for bacteria to congregate upon. You don’t want any more bacteria than what is in your mouth already.

3. Use mouthwash regularly

There are two types of mouthwash available on the market — cosmetic and therapeutic. After surgery, we recommend salt water rinse, and may recommend that you use therapeutic mouthwash, which you can buy either over the counter or by prescription.. Therapeutic mouthwashes are designed to help control plaque buildup, bad breath, and tooth decay, and fight gingivitis.

4. Healthy diet

You have food that you love that you know you shouldn’t eat so often. Perhaps it’s a sugary drink or fast food that you think you cannot live without. Whatever bad food you eat, avoid it altogether post-extraction and make a special effort to adopt a healthier diet. We want you to do everything you can to reduce enamel erosion and cavities while promoting good oral health.

5. Schedule regular dental checkups

Last, but certainly not least, make time on your calendar for regular dental checkups. It’s imperative that we ensure your remaining teeth are in good health and stay that way. We can only do this with proper monitoring.

At Airport Dental Care, Dr. LaBombard always likes to sit down with his patients before extraction and give them a rundown on the procedure as well as post-operative care instructions.

We want to make your visit with us as comfortable as possible, and we encourage you to let us know any needs, questions, or concerns you may have about your recommended treatment before, during and after your appointment. Call us today or book your appointment online. Dr. LaBombard and team (Nelda, Megan, Dylon, Amy, and Jen) look forward to meeting you.