Extractions .. Post Operative Instructions

Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the successful healing of your tooth / teeth extractions :

During the First 24 hours :

It is important that blood clot forms on the extraction site to stop bleeding, reduce pain , and speed healing.

To protect the clot and avoid the pain of dry socket :

- Bite on the gauze pad firmly for 30 min

- Repeat with a clean gauze after 30 min

- the site can ooze for as long as 24 hours

- don’t spit and suck on candies or through a straw

- don’t rinse your mouth

- Brush gently on the site after 24 hours 

- don’t smoke or use tobacco , Avoid Tobacco for at least 72 hours because it slows healing

- don’t sneeze or cough , so have sinus or allergy medications on hand if necessary

- limit yourself to calm activities and elevate your head with pillow when you lie down to reduce bleeding

- don’t drink hot , carbonated, or alcoholic drink and avoid hot or spicy foods

- Eat cold & soft things

After the first 24 hours :

- Begin to eat normally as soon as it is comfortable

- Resume brushing and flossing, but clean gently around the site for about a week

- Reduce soreness or swelling by applying moist heat , swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours

- further reduce swelling by rinsing your mouth very gently with warm salt water

To Keep Swelling to a minimum :

- use an icebag over the area 20 min on and  20 min off

- when the numbness has worn off completely , drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious food , chewing on the opposite side

When to call us :

-it is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a tooth extraction, but call us right away if you have :

- Heavy or increased bleeding

- Pain or swelling that  increases or continues beyond two or three days

- a bad taste or odor in your mouth

- a reaction to the medication