Drinking ice after pulling a tooth makes you heal quickly, myth or fact?

Many people suggest that after the tooth extraction operation, you should drink cold water. Without us knowing it, we believe that recommendation completely. The question is, is it medically correct and safe? So how can drinking ice after tooth extraction speed healing? Find out the answer below.

Get to know tooth extraction surgery

The dentist will pull out your tooth because it has been damaged. Tooth that has been damaged, for example due to very bad cavities and porousness, can certainly cause pain. Furthermore, if a tooth is not removed, the damage can spread to other teeth.

Dental surgery is usually performed under anesthesia so that it makes you feel less pain. However, after the operation is over and the effects of the anesthesia wear off, the pain can come back.

After your tooth is removed, of course there will be holes in the gums and can bleed. In other words, at the site of your old tooth, the gums are bleeding, and they can become inflamed or swollen. This is a natural thing to happen. However, to speed up healing and recovery, there are a number of things you can do, for example the things below.

1. Take pain relievers

First, you may be given painkillers by your dentist. These drugs can reduce pain after you have pulled your teeth out.

2. Cold compress

You can also apply an ice pack from the outside. Apply the ice pack to the skin of your mouth for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thick cloth between the ice and your skin so that the blood vessels do not completely die in draining the blood.

3. Gargle salt water

After 24 hours have passed after removing the tooth, you can rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day. The goal is also to reduce swelling and pain. However, don't rinse your mouth too hard, as this can make your gums bleed again and slow down healing.

4. Choosing safe foods and drinks

After pulling teeth, choose soft foods such as soup, boiled noodles, pudding, and porridge. Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot as this will make the healing process take longer.

5. Sleep with a high pillow

When sleeping, lie down with a pillow. Make sure the position of the head is higher than the body as a flat position can actually prolong bleeding.

6. Do not touch the area where the tooth was extracted

Avoid touching the area where the tooth was extracted, for example by using a toothbrush, toothpick, or tongue. This can also prolong the healing process and even cause bleeding to come back. When brushing your teeth and cleaning your mouth, do it slowly and gently.

Does drinking ice after tooth extraction speed healing?

Basically, cold temperatures will make blood vessels constrict. In other words, blood will not flow profusely because of the narrowing of the blood vessels. This happens to stop bleeding in the area where the tooth was extracted. This is why it is necessary to apply an ice pack after you have pulled your tooth. Then what about drinking ice after pulling a tooth?

You need to be careful when doing anything that will cause direct contact with the tooth extraction wound. For example, some of the activities mentioned above, namely gargling too hard, brushing your teeth, and playing with your tongue in the area where the tooth has been extracted.

Drinking water, especially drinking cold water or drinking ice after pulling a tooth is actually not prohibited. However, when drinking cold water you need to be careful when using a straw. The sucking motion of the mouth can put pressure on the gums and can slow down the healing process. Straws also run the risk of touching your scars.

In essence, go ahead and drink ice after pulling a tooth. However, avoid using a straw or drinking quickly. If the bleeding doesn't stop after a few days, contact your dentist immediately.