How to sleep after tooth extraction normally is a common question and one dental surgeon is likely to face at least a few. There are a few preparations that need to be made before you can get the restful sleep that you will need. Although the surgical operation may have been done successfully, the fact that you have a cavity or fracture does not mean that you should forget about getting proper restful sleep. In fact, most people will go through this period with some degree of pain and disturbance.
In general, the period of the oral cavity before the next meal is known as post-operative sleep. It usually lasts about four to six hours but during this time the individual cannot eat or drink anything. If the person is suffering from any kind of infection in the oral cavity, the healing process may take longer and may also be more uncomfortable.
The oral cavity continues to heal for the next few days. It is during the third week after the surgery that the crowns will be placed on top of the missing teeth. During this stage, the dentist will most likely suggest that you stay away from food and liquids for a while so that the gums heal properly. This is also an ideal time to begin the process of softening the oral cavity.
You may not feel comfortable sleeping with a toothbrush between your teeth or even a mouth guard if you do not have one yet. A dentist can make suitable recommendations about suitable guards that can be worn while sleeping. Most dentists would advise their patients about the importance of using a soft brush or toothpaste after tooth extraction in order to protect the gums. Before you go to bed, your dentist would probably offer you a solution to help you sleep comfortably.
Before taking a pillow, first, you need to ensure that your oral cavity is completely cleaned. Brushing the affected areas thoroughly with regular toothpaste may help you a lot in removing food particles and plaque that have accumulated in these places. The process of cleaning will continue until you are finally able to fall asleep. When you wake up, you may feel that your mouth is dry since there are a lot of food particles that are stuck between your teeth. To alleviate this problem, sip water or soften the food by chewing it thoroughly before going to sleep.
You may feel some sensitivity or irritation right after the procedure but this will only last for a short period of time. You may experience some swelling or redness around the affected area but it is simply caused by the presence of food particles. Another sensation that you may feel is a burning sensation in the oral cavity which is due to the surgery. Dentists may advise their patients to wear a mouthguard as this will reduce the sensation to a great extent.
On the other hand, if you have already undergone this procedure and you are still experiencing difficulty in sleeping, you may go ahead and get yourself some sedation so that you can easily fall asleep without too much effort. Your dentist may also ask you to drink a few teaspoons of saltwater every few hours so that your oral cavity will remain irrigated and moist. Drinking alcohol before sleeping may also help you go to sleep. If you do not feel too well, you may go ahead and take an analgesic. It is important to note that alcohol has the ability to dehydrate your body so you should not make it your habit to drink excessive amounts of it.
As mentioned earlier, it is important to follow certain oral hygiene tips after having this procedure done in order to prevent any bad surprises. It is important that you brush your teeth three times daily and floss at least two times daily. Flossing is an important way in taking good care of your oral cavity so you should not skip this activity. Also, you should visit your dentist once in a while to ensure that you and your gums are in proper condition.