Dental tourism is now becoming an ideal option for people living in the United States, and that means more and more people are looking for information about tooth extraction aftercare while on the road.
The cost of dental procedures, like tooth extraction, is high in the US. Places outside America like Mexico, Thailand, and Eastern Europe offer quality dental services at a more affordable cost. Moreover, setting up an appointment in dental tourism locations is fast because you do not have to deal with a long waiting list. Before you consider dental tourism, it is advisable to plan properly.
Some things you should consider include plane tickets and even accommodation. Remember that comfort is essential before and after the dental procedure for faster recovery.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare while Flying
Dentists recommend that you take a day or two to rest after tooth extraction. Taking a day of rest is the best way to allow your body to adjust to the changes.
However, you can still travel on the same day of the tooth extraction. It might be a little bit uncomfortable to fly a few hours after a procedure, but it is not dangerous. When flying the same day, pick a an aisle seat. An aisle seat will allow easy washroom access.
You need to make sure that you can reach the washroom easily in case you feel the need to check the procedure site. In the past, it was believed that flying would cause discomfort or even bleeding due to changes in altitude. However, airplanes have pressure cabins, so this usually does not present a problem.
1. Bring Salty Water
If you are flying the same day after dental extraction, make sure that you carry a bottle or two of saline water.
The bottle of salty water should be on your carry-on bag so that you can rinse the area in your mouth while on the plane. If you get a seat near the bathroom, you can clean the area every thirty minutes to avoid infections. Salty water is very effective, and it aids in healing wounds. Your dentist might also recommend a mouthwash instead of salty water for tooth extraction aftercare.
Cleaning your mouth at this point is crucial because it flushes out any bacteria that may cause infections and helps keep the area dry.
2. Watch Out for Airplane food
It is advisable to stick to soups and shakes when traveling on the same day. Solid foods might not be best a few hours after tooth extraction.
The idea is to make sure that you avoid any irritation to the gums after removal. Solid and hard foods will reopen the wound, and will slow down the healing process. Make sure that you stick to liquids on the first day. After that, you can proceed to soft foods.
It is also advisable to stay away from acidic or citrus foods that will irritate the area. Alcohol is also not a good option when you’re trying to heal fast during tooth extraction aftercare.
3. How long can you smoke after tooth extraction ?
It is not advisable to smoke the same day after tooth extraction. Dentists recommend that you give yourself at least five days before you start smoking again. For some, it can be tough to wait for five days after tooth extraction.
It slows down the healing process during tooth extraction aftercare, and the wound will take a longer time to heal. When you smoke immediately after tooth extraction, it might lead to complications such as a dry socket. Waiting for as long as possible before you resume smoking is the best way to make sure that you heal quickly.
4. Put ice on your face
If you are worried about swelling on the affected area, then putting ice on your face can go a long way in easing the swelling. All you have to do is to carry some Ziploc bags with you. When on the plane, you can place the Ziploc bags on your face.
All you have to do is to request the flight attendant to give you some ice cubes to put in your bag for your face. Some people do not experience swelling at all. You might not even need to use an ice bag on your face. Generally, you might feel like your face is bigger after the extraction due to the anesthesia used to prevent pain during the extraction process.
5. Tooth Extraction Aftercare Pain Meds
Your dentist might recommend that you take narcotic pain medication to reduce pain while on the journey. Remember that the pain medication may cause you to sleep through the entire plane trip.
If you are worried about oversleeping, make sure that you inform the flight attendant that you have taken some pain medication. Since painkillers may cause drowsiness and lightheadedness, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from flight attendants when moving around.
