Can I Sleep On My Side After a Tooth Extraction?

Some people are naturally side sleepers who prefer this position when sleeping. For these men and women, it can be tough to adjust to sleeping on one’s back or in any other position. However, it is often necessary for someone to shift their sleeping position following a medical procedure, like a tooth extraction.

The team at Byers Station Dental in Chester Springs, PA can help you with tooth extraction, but you’ll also need to put in your due diligence following the procedure. Here are a few points to see when looking at how you’ll need to sleep after this dental procedure.

Sleeping on your back is necessary

As tough as it can be for some people to manage, they will need to sleep on their backs following tooth extraction. Sleeping on the back is necessary for ensuring any materials used to control the bleeding in the extraction site will not shift out of place. Keeping the head to the side while sleeping could cause the protective materials to shift a small bit, making it harder for the teeth to stay healthy.

You’ll need to sleep on your back for at least a week after the initial procedure. The timing should be enough to allow the extraction site to recover and prevent potential damage in Chester Springs, Byers, Ludwigs Corner, Eagle, Lionville, or Exton, PA.

Keep the head elevated

You must also keep your head elevated while sleeping on your back after your extraction. The elevation keeps the extraction site level and allows fluid to drain from the area. You will have less of a risk of swelling in the area, plus you will not be likely to experience new bleeding if you keep your head elevated.

You can add a few pillows on your bed to keep your head elevated while you sleep. The design should help keep the head up while also keeping you from triggering any natural urges to get back on your side.

Our dentists at Byers Station Dental in Chester Springs, PA recommend you keep your head elevated for about the first week after the surgery. The timing is enough to allow blood to clot well in the extraction site.

Are these rules necessary for all extractions?

These rules for sleeping after extraction are essential for all extraction forms. Whether it involves removing a decayed tooth to prepare for an implant or clearing out your wisdom teeth, you will need to avoid sleeping on your side while recovering.

These steps are also essential for cases where the extraction is on the top part of the mouth. It is easier for blood clotting to develop on the lower teeth, as gravity’s natural pull can help facilitate the healing process.

Contact us for more details about dental care in Chester Springs, PA

Tooth extraction can be a necessary dental procedure, and it will be more helpful if you use the proper sleeping habits afterward. You can talk with us at Byers Station Dental in Chester Springs, PA if you have further questions about how well the extraction can work and what you should do afterward. Our full-service family practice is available for patients throughout the Chester Springs area, including in nearby spots like Eagle, Exton, and Ludwigs Corner. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our dental professionals for your dental care needs.