Getting a tooth extracted can be an anxiety-provoking experience for many patients. While the procedure itself is relatively quick and straightforward, proper preparation is crucial for an easy extraction with no complications. There are a number of things you should avoid in the days and hours leading up to your tooth extraction appointment to ensure the best outcome. Paying attention to what not to do can make a big difference in your comfort level and recovery time.
What not to eat before tooth extraction
Your diet in the 24-48 hours prior to tooth extraction is very important. There are several foods you’ll want to avoid before the procedure:
Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods
Foods like nuts, seeds, granola, toast, raw vegetables, and hard candy can potentially loosen your tooth or dislodge a filling prior to extraction. This can cause additional irritation and even pain. Sticky foods like gum, caramel, or dried fruit can stick to the tooth and surrounding area and dislodge the blood clot after extraction, delaying healing.
Spicy, acidic, or salty foods
Foods with strong flavors and seasonings like chili peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and soy sauce can further irritate the gums and tooth before extraction. This inflammation and irritation can potentially make the extraction more difficult and increase discomfort.
Carbonated beverages
Fizzy drinks like soda should also be avoided for at least 24 hours prior to extraction. The bubbles can loosen debris and cause sensitivity in the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
Alcohol
It’s best to avoid alcoholic drinks in the day or two before your extraction. Alcohol can interact with anesthetics used during the procedure, and it also causes dehydration and thins the blood, which can increase bleeding risk.
Dairy
While dairy doesn’t need to be avoided altogether, limit products like milk, cheese, and ice cream close to procedure time. Dairy forms mucus that can make extraction more difficult if consumed right before.
Tobacco products
Refrain from using any tobacco products like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc. Tobacco is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels and can increase the risk of developing a painful dry socket after extraction.
What medications and drugs to avoid
Certain medications, supplements, and recreational drugs should be avoided for ideal extraction results:
Blood thinners
Prescription blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin should be discussed with your dentist prior to extraction. These can increase bleeding risk during/after extraction. Do not stop them without medical supervision.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) can also thin the blood and slow clotting. Avoid 24-48 hours before extraction.
Herbal supplements
Supplements with anti-clotting effects like garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and others should be avoided for ideal clotting and bleeding control. Discuss your medications thoroughly.
Recreational drugs
Illegal recreational drugs like cocaine are vasoconstrictors that raise blood pressure and heart rate. This interferes with anesthesia and increases bleeding risks.
What not to do the night before
Properly preparing the night before your extraction is key. Here’s what to avoid:
Eating after midnight
Do not eat anything after midnight, or at least 8-12 hours prior to your extraction appointment. This gives your stomach enough time to empty and prevents nausea and vomiting from anesthesia.
Drinking alcohol
Consuming alcoholic beverages can dangerously interact with anesthetic agents used during extraction. Avoid drinking the night before.
Smoking
The nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke negatively impact healing after an extraction. Refrain from smoking the night before.
Brushing teeth right next to extraction site
While oral hygiene is important, avoid aggressively brushing your teeth right next to the extraction site so you don’t disturb or loosen the tooth prematurely.
Strenuous activity
Vigorous exercise before extraction can increase blood pressure and bleeding risks during the procedure. Ease up on exercise the night before.
What not to do the morning of extraction
The morning of your extraction, continue to avoid:
Eating or drinking
Do not eat or drink anything, including water, the morning of your extraction unless specifically instructed by your dentist. An empty stomach minimizes nausea and vomiting.
Coffee
Avoid caffeinated coffee, which can interact with anesthetic agents. Also increases heart rate.
Brushing teeth near surgery site
Do not disturb the tooth and gum tissue that will be operated on. Avoid forceful brushing near extraction area.
Makeup near surgery site
Skip makeup near the mouth/chin area to keep the surgical site sterile for your dentist.
Strenuous activity
Do not engage in intense physical activity before your extraction. This can raise blood pressure and bleeding risk.
Tobacco products
Using any tobacco or nicotine products before extraction is ill-advised. Tobacco negatively impacts healing.
Hygiene and oral care tips
While you’ll avoid forceful brushing and disturbing the extraction area right before surgery, good oral hygiene is key:
– Brush gently and thoroughly the morning/night before extraction
– Use an antibacterial mouthwash the day before procedures
– Floss carefully the day before and up until your appointment, avoiding extraction site
– Drink water and remain hydrated before your extraction
– Ensure dentures and other dental appliances are clean before procedure
How to prepare on the day of your extraction
Proper preparation on the day of your tooth extraction helps ensure the best experience:
Arrange transportation
Plan for someone to drive you home after your extraction since anesthetics will likely be used. Do not attempt to drive yourself.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing
Wear something with short or loose sleeves so they can access your arm for IV sedation or blood pressure monitoring.
Take prescribed medications
Take any medications your dentist instructed you to take before your extraction with small sips of water.
Arrive on time
Be punctual for your extraction appointment to keep things running smoothly. Tardiness can disrupt the dentist’s schedule.
Bring distractions
Music, movies, books – bring entertainment so you stay occupied and relaxed in the waiting room. This eases anxiety.
Have gauze ready
Have gauze squares on hand to bite down on after extraction to control bleeding. Your dentist may provide some.
What to expect after your extraction
Recovery is important after tooth extraction. Be prepared by:
Arranging time off work
Take at least the day of extraction plus the following day off work to recover. Extraction is traumatic for the body.
Stocking up on soft foods
Have a supply of yogurt, apple sauce, soup and other nutritious soft foods you can eat while mouth is healing.
Following post-op instructions
Carefully follow your dentist’s instructions on medication, activity level, and oral hygiene after extraction.
Monitoring for complications
Watch for signs of complications like severe pain, excessive bleeding, or fever and contact your dentist promptly if they occur.
Resting
Get plenty of rest after extraction – limit physical activity and allow your body to direct energy towards healing.
Keeping gauze in place
Continue biting down firmly on gauze at extraction site for 45-60 minutes after procedure to control bleeding.
Conclusion
While a tooth extraction is a relatively simple and safe dental procedure, proper preparation is crucial for an optimal experience. There are a number of important dos and don’ts in the hours and days leading up to your extraction. Avoid hard foods that can loosen the tooth, eliminate alcohol consumption, refrain from tobacco use, and discontinue specific medications like blood thinners. Stick to a soft foods diet and follow your dentist’s instructions carefully before and after the extraction. Keep the tooth extraction site undisturbed just beforehand. Arranging transportation and help during recovery are also key. Following these tooth extraction preparation guidelines will minimize the risk of complications and help everything go as smoothly as possible.
| Things to Avoid Before Tooth Extraction |
|---|
| Hard, crunchy foods |
| Sticky, chewy foods |
| Spicy, acidic, salty foods |
| Carbonated beverages |
| Alcohol |
| Dairy products |
| Tobacco use |
| Blood thinners |
| NSAIDs |
| Herbal supplements that thin blood |
| Recreational drugs |
| Eating after midnight before procedure |
| Drinking alcohol night before |
| Smoking the night before |
| Brushing aggressively near extraction site |
| Strenuous activity night before |
| Eating/drinking anything day of procedure |
| Caffeine before procedure |
| Brushing near extraction site day of |
| Makeup near extraction site |
| Physical exertion day of procedure |
| Tobacco use before procedure |
