Your tooth can be extracted by your dentist for a number of reasons. One of the many reasons why this happens is extreme infection and decay. When you have multiple teeth extracted, this can change the way that your mouth and teeth look. A tooth extraction means that the bone surrounding your teeth is weak and unhealthy. In these cases, a socket preservation is done to restore these weak areas. Since the procedure involves surgical incisions, it is important to keep the area bacteria free until it heals. Luckily, there are a few tips that you can use to keep bacteria out of your mouth.

Use an Antibacterial Rinse Several Times a Day

Immediately after your surgery is complete, you will need to wait a few days before using a rinse or toothbrush to clean around the surgical site. This is done in order to give your surgical site enough time to develop a blood clot. Using an antibacterial prematurely can interfere with this process. Once this time has passed, you should be using an antibacterial rinse several times a day. The rinse will not only get rid of bacterial buildup, it will also help to prevent plaque. Clove and peppermint are a few good examples of antibacterial herbs you can use to create a homemade rinse in order to stop plaque development. Simply steep either herb in a cup of hot water for a few hours. Once the time has passed, use your head to guide the rinse from one corner of your mouth to the next. Avoid using your cheeks, as this can be damaging to your surgical site.

Use a Water Floss After Meals

Immediately after your socket preservation procedure, flossing can be difficult if you choose to use traditional floss. Socket preservation involves rebuilding gum tissue as well as bone loss. This can result in gums that are still fragile and sore, and traditional floss can aggravate your gums. Therefore, you can use a water floss instead. This form of flossing will point the pressurized water towards your teeth and gums. The pressure is extremely gentle and will not be detrimental to your gum health. This can be used to help clean and remove plaque from under and around your gum line without causing any pain or aggravation to the surgical site.

Plaque buildup after a surgical procedure like socket preservation is difficult to shake. Therefore, use tips to make sure that you do not suffer from this problem. For more tips about dental hygiene, talk to a dentistry like Carpenter Dental.