Fish Oil For Tooth Extraction Pain

Touted by some as a "miracle food," Omega-3 fish oils provide a wide range of health benefits.These vital nutrients help prevent heart disease, regulate blood pressure and cholesterol, and provide relief from a wide variety of ailments. Omega-3 fish oils also improve brain development and memory. Omega-3 fish oils also have benefits for dental health, even providing relief from the pain associated with tooth extractions and in treating periodontitis.

Sources

Fatty fish are the preferred source of Omega-3 oils. These include mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, lake trout and sardines. Supplements are available if you cannot get enough Omega-3 from your diet, but the American Heart Association recommends no more than 3 g from supplements unless your doctor approves.

Dental Health

Omega-3 fish oils aid in the maintenance of healthy teeth. These oils are a source of Vitamin D, which contains phosphorus and reacts favorably with calcium in the blood stream. The oil helps facilitate the delivery of these essential nutrients into the arteries of your teeth.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are considered the most traumatic dental procedure you will face. When facing a tooth extraction, you should prepare for post-procedure pain. The dentist will use a topical anesthetic to deaden the surface area. A series of anesthetic injections is then placed around the affected tooth. Once the area is completely numb, the dentist peels the gum away from the tooth to eliminate tearing. A pair of specially designed pliers is then used to grip and extract the tooth. The area is cleaned and squeezed to remove any pus and to promote healing. A wet cotton gauze is then placed in the extraction hole. No matter how careful, there is always trauma to the area from the extraction that will cause post-procedure pain.

Pain Relief

Omega-3 fish oils are one of the most effective anti-inflammatory pain reliever, often used in treating arthritic ailment. This anti-inflammatory property will ease the pain caused by an extraction. Studies have also linked Omega-3 fish oils with treating and preventing periodontal inflammation.

Precautions

Excessive bleeding may be caused by taking high quantities of fish oil supplements. Additionally, some species of fish have high levels of mercury, dioxins and other contaminants. The highest levels of these contaminants are found in predatory fish and marine mammals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women and children to avoid eating shark, king mackerel, tile fish or swordfish.