Postoperative Instructions after a Tooth Extraction

To guarantee successful recovery of your tooth extraction, follow these instructions carefully.

It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a tooth extraction, however, should you happen to experience any of the following please contact us as soon as possible:

• If you are experiencing excessive or increased bleeding at any time after your surgery.
• Swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its peak for 2-3 days. After that time, if the swelling does not decrease, please contact us immediately.
• A bad taste or odor in your mouth.
• A reaction to the medication.

It is important that a blood clot forms on the extraction site help it heal faster, stop the bleeding, and reduce pain. To protect the clot and avoid the pain of dry socket we encourage you to do the following:

• Rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise or do too much activity for at least 24 hours. When resting, keep your head in a slightly upright position on the pillow.
• Bite on a gauze pad firmly for 30-60 minutes. Blood and saliva mix in the mouth and make it look like there is more bleeding than there really is. Some oozing is normal; however, after 1 hour, repeat with a clean gauze pad if oozing is profuse. The site could ooze for as long as 24 hours.
• Take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies, etc.
• Don’t spit, and don’t suck on candies or through a straw.
• Don’t rinse your mouth, and don’t brush or floss next to the site.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Avoid tobacco for at least 72 hours for it will slow down the healing process.
• Don’t sneeze or cough, have sinus or allergy medication on hand if necessary.
• Don’t drink hot, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks, and avoid hot or spicy foods.

1. To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.
2. To keep swelling to a minimum use an ice bag over the area for 20 minutes and wait for another 20 to use the ice bag again.
3. When the numbness has worn off completely drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods.

You may begin to eat normally once it is comfortable.

• Resume brushing and flossing the area make sure to be gentle.
• If antibiotics were prescribed continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if all symptoms and signs of infections are gone.
• Reduce remaining soreness or swelling by applying moist heat. Swelling should start to go down after 48 hours.
• Further reduce swelling by rinsing your mouth very gently with warm salt water. Use about 1 teaspoon of salt per glass. Do this 2-3 times a day for a week after the extraction.