According to the National Institute of Health, cases treated with tooth extractions have decreased by 20% in the past 32 years. In saying this, it is still estimated that 1 in 4 people in Australia have had a dental extraction [1].

Tooth extractions are a common dental procedure and it is crucial to follow proper aftercare to ensure a smooth recovery. Whether you've recently had a tooth pulled or are preparing for the procedure down the track, this guide will walk you through the essential steps for effective home treatment post-extraction to establish maximum comfort. 

Prior or following your extraction, your dentist or their clinical staff will most likely run you through all the aftercare information following your appointment. It can be difficult to absorb all the information post procedure as you may be feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. 

I know when I had my first extraction as an adult on a weak and broken molar, not only was I sore and numb, I just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and didn’t ask any questions or really listen to what the dentist was saying. A root canal was not financially feasible at the time for a part-time barista, full-time student. Sadly I had to say goodbye to the tooth and following the appointment, I didn’t hear a word the dentist was saying. I just wanted to get out as soon as possible to the comfort of my bed whilst clutching the saliva covered gauze in my mouth and stroking my numb, lifeless cheek. All I remembered was him saying “be careful if you do eat because you might bite your cheek as it’s still numb”. 

Immediately after the extraction, your dentist will place a gauze pad over the extraction site. Apply gentle pressure by biting down to control the bleeding. Change the gauze as needed, following your dentist's instructions.

Why does the dentist place a gauze following an extraction?

The gauze is placed to help minimize the bleeding. The idea is for a blood clot to form in the socket where your tooth was as the bone grows back in. 

Rest is key during the first few hours. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected area (on your face, not inside your mouth) in 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling and ease discomfort. It is also recommended to not eat for the first 4 hours, especially when you are still numb as you may burn yourself when eating hot foods or accidentally bite your mouth/cheeks without knowing. 

Continue with your oral hygiene routine, but be gentle around the extraction site. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid the extraction area during the first 24 hours.

The day after your extraction, you can rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) several times a day to promote healing and reduce bacteria. Keeping your mouth clean will keep food particles and bacteria away from the wound. 

Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed by your dentist. We often ask patients to avoid aspirin, especially if you experience bleeding. 

Stick to a soft diet for the first few days, incorporating foods like yogurt, soup, and mashed potatoes. Avoid hot, spicy, and crunchy foods that may irritate the extraction site.

Stay hydrated, but avoid using straws during the initial recovery period, as sucking motions can dislodge blood clots and impede healing.

Common post extraction symptoms may include bleeding, swelling and bruising. A small amount of bleeding is normal initially. If bleeding persists, bite down on fresh gauze or a damp tea bag. The pressure will alleviate the bleeding whilst you contact your dentist.

Mild swelling and bruising are common. Apply ice as mentioned earlier against your cheek to reduce swelling, and it should subside within a few days.

What should you avoid following an extraction?

We often ask our patients to avoid smoking, vaping and alcohol for at least 72 hours, as they can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

We also advise to avoid strenuous activities and exercise for a few days to prevent excessive bleeding and discomfort.

Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your dentist to monitor your recovery and address any concerns.

Proper aftercare is instrumental in ensuring a smooth recovery after a tooth extraction. By following these guidelines, you can enhance your healing process and minimize discomfort. If you have any questions or experience unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your dentist promptly. You got this!

Your home healing handbook

A Complete Guide for Post-Extraction Care

The way of straightening your teeth has significantly changed since I was a teenager. In fact, a lot of things have. I remember seeing my schoolmates with those thick metal train tracks and wishing I could get them too (though we couldn't afford to at the time). Fast forward many years later and not only have I had Invisalign clear aligners for two years but also upper and lower porcelain veneers. 

Straightening your teeth using Invisalign or clear aligners is a quick, easy, effective and discrete process if you’re suitable for treatment. Though a lot of information is gone over during your appointment, a topic that is easily brushed over is how to keep your aligners clean. It is so important to keep your Invisalign or clear aligners clean during your treatment to get the best outcomes and maintain proper oral hygiene. 

After taking them out, rinse them in warm water to get rid of any saliva or food particles. This little procedure keeps your aligners clean and helps avoid the growth of bacteria. I liked to also dry my aligners before putting them back in the case as I found this minimized the odours. 

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently brush your aligners. Plaque and germs that may gather on the aligner surface are helped by doing this. Hot water and abrasive toothpaste should not be used since they could harm the aligners. I liked to give them a little brush every couple of days to keep them feeling and looking fresh. 

Soaking your aligners can help to efficiently remove bacteria and odours. Use a denture cleanser, Invisalign cleaning crystals, or a cleaning solution made especially for clear aligners. As directed by the manufacturer, soak your aligners for the required amount of time and not any longer. Soaking for too long can weaken the aligners.

It is important to take off your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water in order to avoid discoloration and reduce bacterial development. By doing this, there is less chance that food particles will become trapped, leading to poor breath or tooth rot. This also applies to lollies or lozenges.

It's important to always practice proper oral hygiene; with or without your aligners. Before re-applying your aligners, try to ensure that your teeth and mouth are clean. We do not recommend brushing more than twice daily but gargle water and swirl it around your mouth to remove any excess food. Brushing your teeth too much can wear out your enamel leading to issues in the future. Sometimes I liked to carry Piksters to remove any trapped food before I put my aligners back in. 

When you're not wearing your aligners, place them in the case you’re provided with. This guarantees their cleanliness, protects them from harm or damage and helps you locate them. In order to prevent bacteria from growing on your aligners, avoid leaving them out in the open or covering them with tissue. I lost my aligners once at a restaurant and that was certainly an ordeal (waiter threw out my tissue with them in it).

Throughout your treatment, make regular appointments with your dentist. They will evaluate your progress and ensure you are tracking well, offer advice on maintaining your aligners, and respond to any queries or problems you may have.

It’s one hand to properly use your Invisalign or clear aligners but it is another thing to properly maintain and take care of them. Keep in mind to speak with your dentist for detailed and personalized care recommendations. 

Keeping it clean: Essential tips for your routine

Caring for your Invisalign or Clear Aligners

Wisdom teeth are the additional molars an individual generally grows on the top and bottom arches of their mouth. Some people may not have wisdom teeth or know that they have it but the majority of us do. These extra teeth are often removed in our late teens or early twenties as evolution would have it; they’re no longer needed. Why do we remove our wisdom teeth you may ask? As we no longer dependent on extra teeth nor have the space in our mouths to accommodate these teeth, the lack of space can sometimes cause pain or discomfort or leave the wisdom tooth to grow or erupt in an odd manner. 

Even though the idea of having surgery can be frightening, being aware of what to expect can help you feel more at ease and prepared for the procedure. In this blog post, we will outline what to expect before, during, and after having your wisdom teeth removed.

After assessing your suitability for removal (or whether you can keep your wisdom teeth), your dentist or oral surgeon will give you thorough information on how to get ready before your wisdom teeth removal procedure. This usually involves making transportation arrangements, fasting requirements, and taking any prescribed medication. Along with discussing pain management options with you, your dentist may write you a prescription for painkillers. Prior to your surgery, you can also make the decision on whether you want to remove your wisdom teeth in stages or all at once. Some patients choose to wait in stages due to cost factors or purely because only one of their four wisdom teeth are causing them discomfort. Other patients choose to have them all taken out at once, even if only one is problematic.

A local anaesthetic will be administered to numb the area while your wisdom teeth are removed. To access and remove the wisdom teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon will make incisions in the gum tissue. Additional incisions or bone removal may be required if the teeth need to be extracted surgically or are more complicated or impacted.

You could feel sore and uncomfortable after having your wisdom teeth removed. You will receive comprehensive advice on how to control this discomfort and promote healing. This could entail getting pain relief, cooling the injured area with ice, and staying away from particular foods and activities. To keep the region clean, you might also need to use a specific mouthwash or do saltwater rinses. Please be aware that you may have facial swelling for up to two weeks following the procedure. 

The surgical removal of wisdom teeth is a regular and common treatment. You can reduce your worry and be more prepared for the procedure by being aware of what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. Follow your dentist's or oral surgeon's instructions precisely, and get in touch with them if you have any questions or concerns.

Tips for a smooth recovery

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery

If you're thinking about getting porcelain veneers, a common concern you might have is about how unpleasant the process might be. The good news is that getting porcelain veneers is usually  a painless and generally comfortable experience. Despite this, it is important to understand how the procedure works and how to handle any discomfort you may feel.

Preparation and placement are the two key steps in the porcelain veneers procedure. Vogue Dental Studios and Dr Dee believe in minimally invasive treatment. If you are suitable for ‘no preparation’, we tailor the veneer around your existing teeth to eliminate or minimise the need to “shave” any enamel. If your teeth are not in a prime position and are quite misaligned or protrude forward, shaving a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth during the preparation phase may be required. Since local anesthetic is used, there is generally no pain whilst this is being done. You may however feel some pressure or vibration.

Remember: communication is key. In the rare occasions where there is something doesn’t feel right or is causing discomfort, it is important to communicate this. 

In order to tailor-make your bespoke veneers, we take scans and/or impressions  of your teeth following the preparation phase. The process of hand-perfecting your customised Picasso Porcelain Veneers can take up to three weeks. In the interim, if your teeth were “prepped”, we would place temporary veneers to safeguard your enamel to keep your smile intact and help protect against sensitivity. To minimize discomfort while eating, we recommend these guidelines on what to avoid.

Once your Picasso Porcelain Veneers are ready, we will schedule a follow-up appointment to place them on your teeth. This process involves bonding the veneers to your teeth using a special dental adhesive. You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort as we apply and fit the veneers onto your teeth, but this is usually managed with local anesthesia if necessary.

After your veneers are cemented, you may experience some sensitivity or soreness in your teeth and gums for a few days. This is normal and should subside within a week or two. In some cases, it may take a few months to settle. If needed, we may recommend using over-the-counter pain relief or a desensitizing toothpaste to manage any discomfort.

At Vogue Dental Studios, the process of getting Picasso Porcelain Veneers is generally a pleasant and painless process aimed at transforming your smile. To ensure a comfortable and successful outcome, it is important to choose a reputable and experienced cosmetic dentist who can guide you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you may have. If you do have any concerns about the procedure, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Debunking the myths about porcelain veneers and pain

Is cosmetic dentistry painful?

After taking the fun and exciting step of finally having your smile makeover with porcelain veneers, you may now wonder; How do I take care of my new smile? 

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that aim to either subtly or dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. New technology veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth, creating a natural-looking and beautiful smile. Vogue Dental Studios’ Picasso Porcelain Veneers are durable and long-lasting, but like all dental restorations, they require proper care and maintenance to ensure their longevity.

Here are some simple tips on how to take care of your porcelain veneers:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush (either manual or electric is fine) and fluoride toothpaste. We recommend that you floss at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and around your veneers. Good oral hygiene habits can help prevent cavities and gum disease, which can compromise the health of your veneers. After the cementation of your veneers, our hygiene team will guide you on which type of floss mechanism will best work for you. This includes string floss, waterfloss, airfloss and or Piksters. 

Avoid using abrasive toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface of your veneers and/or your natural enamel and dull their shine over the long run. Instead, use a non-abrasive toothpaste. We can recommend some brands during your appointment. 

Porcelain veneers are strong and durable, but they are not indestructible. Avoid biting down on hard foods, such as ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy, as this can chip or crack your veneers. Also, avoid sticky foods such as lollies or caramel (which could also stick to your natural teeth and cause cavities if not properly cleaned). 

If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, wear a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect your veneers from damage. We will provide you one after the completion of your smile makeover with us. 

Schedule regular 3 or 6 monthly checkup and cleans to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and to ensure the longevity of your porcelain veneers. We will be able to determine and treat any dental issues before they become more serious.

By following these tips, you can protect your investment and enjoy your new smile for many years to come. If you have any questions or concerns about your porcelain veneers, don't hesitate to contact us!

Aftercare Articles

A Complete Guide for Post-Extraction Care

Caring for your Invisalign or Clear Aligners

Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery

Is cosmetic dentistry painful?

How can I take care of my veneers?