I totally get what you mean about the mixed messages. After my extraction, I was told to avoid brushing near the spot for a couple days, but then a friend’s dentist said just be gentle and go for it right away. It’s honestly confusing. I was pretty nervous too—like, one wrong move with the brush and I’d mess things up. Seems like every dentist has their own vibe about this stuff. You’re definitely not alone in feeling unsure!
That’s totally normal to feel confused—honestly, the advice can be all over the place. I usually tell folks to be gentle and avoid the area for about 24 hours, then start brushing carefully around it. It’s mostly about not disturbing the clot, but a soft brush and a light hand usually do the trick. You’re definitely not alone in feeling nervous; most people worry about messing something up, but with a little caution, things usually heal up just fine.
We were told to wait a full 24 hours before letting our daughter even rinse her mouth, which seemed super strict, but I guess they really didn’t want the clot disturbed. I’m curious—did anyone else’s dentist mention specific foods to avoid? We stuck to yogurt and mashed potatoes, but she kept asking for crackers. Is that a huge risk or just being overly cautious? The conflicting advice online makes it tough to know what’s actually necessary.
Crackers are tricky—my dentist warned me about anything crunchy or with small bits that could get lodged in the socket. I get the temptation, but I’d probably hold off for a couple days just to avoid dry socket. Yogurt and mashed potatoes are pretty safe bets.
