Extraction  Care

Wound Care:

1. Bite firmly on gauze that has been placed until you arrive home, then remove it gently. Replace gauze with fresh, moist gauze periodically until bleeding subsides. (Do NOT go to bed with gauze in your mouth).

Bleeding:

1. Absolutely NO smoking for 24 hours (as this could cause dry socket and interfere with controlling the bleeding as well as the healing).
2. Do NOT spit or suck through a straw, since the suction will promote further bleeding
3. Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery and is normal. Place a towel over your pillow while sleeping at night and elevate pillow.

Discomfort:

1. Some discomfort is normal after surgery. It can be controlled (but not eliminated) by taking the pain medicine your dentist has prescribed as directed.
2. Take your medicine with a glass of water and with some food to prevent nausea.
3. Do NOT drive or drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medication.

Diet:

1. Eat soft foods for the first 24-48 hours.
2. Do NOT eat anything with seeds, small particles (such as popcorn), or nuts in it.

Oral Hygiene:

1. Be gentle when brushing teeth while extraction site is healing up.
2. Begin warm salt water rinses after 48 hours of surgery. Be very gentle while swishing. Try to rinse after every meal to keep extraction site clean.
3. Applying an ice pack over the area of surgery (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off) for the first 6 hours can help minimize swelling and help the area feel more comfortable
4. Applying moist heat (heating pad, hot water bottle, etc) can help reduce swelling after 48 hours.

Rest:

1. Avoid strenuous activity for 12 hours after surgery.

Bruising:

1. You may experience some mild bruising in the area of your surgery, This is a normal response and should not be cause for alarm. It will usually disappear in 7- 14 days.

Stiffness:

1. You may experience jaw muscle stiffness and limited opening of your mouth, This is normal and will usually improve in 5-10 days.

Please Call the Office if you:

1. Experience excessive discomfort that you cannot control with your pain pills.
2. Have bleeding that you cannot control by biting on gauze.
3. Have swelling that increases after the 3rd day following your surgery.
4. Develop a fever.
5. Have any other questions