If a tooth is cracked below the gum, has a root fracture, or is periodontally involved and can’t be saved, an extraction might be recommended to preserve nearby teeth or to prep the area for an implant or dentures. Sometimes a tooth or teeth need to be extracted before orthodontic treatment to make room for other teeth to shift into a better alignment.

Regardless of the reason, having a tooth removed doesn’t have to be a pain if you follow the post-op instructions provided by your dentist.

Here are some overall tips for making the recovery period following an extraction as pain-free and straightforward as possible.

• Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours – Physical activity increases blood pressure and blood flow. After an extraction, no matter how simple, you want to keep your blood pressure down. Don’t do any heavy lifting and postpone your workout to give your body time to heal and to allow a clot to form in the extraction site.
• Watch for bleeding – After your extraction, your dentist will have you bite down on a piece of gauze for a while depending on the difficulty of the removal. When you remove it, there may be a little blood on the gauze or some light residual bleeding at the extraction site. This is normal. Remember, a little bit of blood mixed with saliva looks like a lot of blood. While there is usually no cause for concern, if the bleeding seems to continue for more than a few hours, call your dentist for an evaluation or further instruction.
• Keep the clot in place – After surgery, the goal is to get a clot to form in the socket where your tooth used to live. Avoid drinking from a straw, smoking, and vigorously rinsing your mouth (even with water) for at least 24 hours, preferably a little longer. All these actions create suction in the mouth and can dislodge a clot causing a lot of pain and may delay healing.

• Use cold compresses to relieve swelling – Sometimes your dentist needs to move your lips and cheeks in unnatural ways to get to a tooth that needs to be removed, and that can cause swelling in the cheeks or lips. Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel can help or a cold, damp washcloth to reduce swelling and make you more comfortable.
• Brush and floss gently – DON’T brush the extraction site and try to avoid the teeth on either side for a few days just to be sure the clot stays intact.
• Keep all follow-up appointments – These checkups help your doctor make sure you are healing as you should. There are things a dentist can see that you can’t – they are trained professionals! Skipping a follow-up can cause more problems than missing a little time out of work or school and could make a small issue become much larger and more costly.

Today’s technology combined with your dentist’s expert training makes modern dental procedures safer and often reduces the healing time when compared to just a few decades ago. Following your dentist’s post-op instructions and keeping all follow-up appointments can make sure the pain ends with your extraction.

Calcium is an important mineral essential for the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones. The FDA recommends getting between 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium every day depending on your age and activity level. In the past, cow’s milk was touted as the be-all and end-all way to get the calcium your body needed. But what do those with lactose intolerance, vegans, and people watching their weight do when dairy is no longer a possibility? Fortunately, there are many other (and sometimes healthier) choices out there.

Here are 6 non-dairy choices so you can keep your bones strong and healthy:

Beans- A favorite substitute for meat, beans are high in protein, fiber, and also pack an incredible calcium-rich punch.

Bone Broth- While this option is off the table for vegans, bone broth is an amazing and flavorful way to get calcium. Boiling and simmering chicken, lamb, beef, or fish bones over long periods of time allows the calcium and other minerals to dissolve into the water. Bone broth is also high in the amino acids proline and glycine which are important for skin health, the nervous system, digestion, and cellular turnover.

Calcium-Fortified Foods- Nowadays cereal, orange juice, soy milk, and energy bars come with added calcium. Be sure to check the label though, because these foods can also be highly processed and may contain added sugars and fats.

Seeds- Many seeds not only provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats, but seeds like chia, sesame, and poppy also pack a lot of calcium. Sprinkled on salads or blended in your morning smoothie, seeds are a great way to add calcium to your diet.

Canned Fish- Canned sardines and other fish are a great way to up your calcium intake, but be sure your canned fish includes the bones because that’s where most of the calcium lies. Anchovies’ salty, briny, nutty flavor can be a great-tasting addition to many recipes instead of adding more salt.

Kale- Kale and other dark leafy greens are not only high in calcium but so versatile you may never get bored with eating them. Kale, collards, and spinach, to name a few are also high in fiber to fill you up, without adding extra calories to your diet.

This short list just scratches the surface of amazing calcium-rich alternatives to dairy products. Even if you do eat cheese and enjoy the occasional glass of milk, the above choices are a great way to add variety and flavor to your diet while making sure your teeth and bones stay strong and healthy for life.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. There are many treatments available that can have you enjoying your favorite foods again in no time.

Tooth sensitivity can have many causes including:

• Enamel loss along the gum line – Clenching, grinding, and brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause the thin enamel along the gum line to wear away. Under the tooth enamel lies a layer of dentin. Dentin’s composition is much like our bones, hard, yet porous. It is made of tiny tubules which act like pathways to the pulp and nerve of our teeth. When exposed, they send signals to the nerve in the form of pain to let you know that the protective enamel is no longer there.



• Tooth decay – A small cavity in the enamel of a tooth is generally an easy fix, but if left to grow, it can cause excruciating pain. Once the decay has eaten away at the enamel into the dentin, it can cause pain. If ignored, it can reach the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, resulting in a constant ache made worse but sudden changes in temperature from food or drink.
• Fractured teeth/worn or missing fillings – A broken tooth, or worn broken fillings allow liquids, saliva, and food to seep into the crack or hole in your tooth causing discomfort. Even a small fracture can cause a lot of pain.
• Gum disease – Periodontal disease causes the gums to shrink back, exposing a protective layer called cementum that covers the root of your tooth. The roots of our teeth are much softer than the enamel that protects the tops of our teeth and are much more susceptible to decay. When gum disease is present, the gums recede exposing this sensitive area that can cause extreme sensitivity even when breathing cold air.
• Neglect and lack of professional checkups – Neglecting your oral hygiene routine and not seeing a dental professional for regular cleanings and exams can also cause tooth sensitivity. When you don’t brush well or at all, plaque builds up on your teeth and hardens, turning into calculus, also called tartar. Once this happens, no homecare routine can remove it. Gum tissue doesn’t like calculus and can’t “breathe,” so it shrinks away from the root of the tooth not only exposing the root to sensitivity but kicking off the cycle of gum disease.

Fortunately, there are also many ways to treat tooth sensitivity that are quick, painless, and cost-effective. Depending on the level of sensitivity and the cause, your dentist may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste or fluoride gel as a first step to help ease the pain. There are many on the market today with varying strengths from over-the-counter to those that need a prescription. If the cause is due to clenching or grinding, you may need to wear an appliance at night to prevent further damage to your teeth. Sometimes, more intensive procedures are necessary to alleviate the sensitivity. Root canals, gum grafts or a crown may be needed to fix the problem.

In some cases, tooth sensitivity can be avoided altogether by using the softest toothbrush recommended by your dentist. Gentle brushing (not scrubbing), flossing regularly, and seeing your hygienist and dentist at least every six months are also recommended. By working together with your dental professionals, your mouth can be pain-free and can keep you smiling for years to come.