| Tooth
extraction is a minor surgical procedure. Therefore, it
is natural that temporary changes will occur in the mouth
afterward. You'll be functioning normally in just a few
days. In the meantime, you should follow a few simple
rules to help promote healing, prevent complications,
and make yourself more comfortable.
ANESTHETICS
The length of time you experience numbness varies, depending
on the type of anesthetic you've received. While your
mouth is numb, you'll want to be careful not to bite your
cheek, lip, or tongue. The numbness should subside within
a few hours. Do not eat until the numbness wears off.
BLEEDING
Your dentist will place a gauze pack on the extraction
site to limit bleeding and confine site to limit bleeding
and confine the blood while clotting takes place. This
gauze pack should be left in place for 30 to 45 minutes
after you leave the dentist's office. Do not chew on the
pack. There may be some bleeding or oozing after the pack
is removed. If so, follow this procedure:
-
Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough
to bite on. Dampen the pad and place it directly on
the extraction site.
-
Apply moderate pressure by closing the teeth firmly
over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes.
If the pad becomes soaked, replace it with a clean one
as necessary.
-
Do not suck on the extraction site.
-
A slight amount of blood may leak at the extraction
site until a clot forms. However, if heaving bleeding
continues, call our office. (Remember, though, that
a lot of saliva and a little blood can look like a lot
of bleeding.)
-
Avoid smoking for 24-48 hours.
THE
BLOOD CLOT
After the extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth
socket. This clot is an important part of the normal healing
process. You should therefore avoid activities that might
disturb the clot. Here's how to protect it:
-
Do not smoke, or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink
throw a straw for 24 hours. These activities create
suction in the mouth, which could dislodge the clot
and delay healing.
-
Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket
for the rest of the day. You should, however, brush
and floss your other teeth thoroughly. Gently rinse
your mouth afterward.
-
Limit strenuous activity for 24 Hours after the extraction.
This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to
form.
-
If you have sutures or stitches we will instruct you
when to return to have them removed, if necessary.
MEDICATION
Our office may prescribe medication to control pain and
prevent infection. Use it only as directed. If the medication
prescribed does not seem to work for you, do not increase
dosage. If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling,
bleeding, or fever call our office immediately. We will
give you exact instructions on how to care for your problem.
SWELLING AND PAIN
After a tooth is removed, you may have some discomfort
and notice some swelling. You can help reduce swelling
and pain by applying cold compresses to the face. An ice
bag or cold, moist cloth can be used periodically. Our
office may give you specific instructions on how long
and how often to use a cold compress. The dentist may
also give you a plastic bag of ice to use on your way
home from the office.
DIET
After the extraction, drink lots of liquids and eat soft,
nutrition foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids.
Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you
can chew foods comfortably. For about two days, try to
chew food on the side opposite the extraction site. If
you are troubled by nausea and vomiting, call your dentist
for advice.
RINSING
The day AFTER the extraction, gently rinse your mouth
with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in an 8
oz. glass of warm water). Rinsing after meals is important
to keep food particles out of the extraction site, but
remember not to rinse your mouth vigorously. Avoid using
a mouth rinse or mouthwash contain during this early healing
period.
ORAL
HYGIENE
It is important to continue to floss your teeth and brush
thoroughly at least twice a day using an ADA-accepted
fluoride toothpaste. The tongue should also be brushed.
This will help eliminate the bad breath and unpleasant
taste this is common after an extraction. Always use a
soft-bristled brush so that you do not injure the tissues
in your mouth. Following extraction, avoid cleaning the
teeth next to the healing tooth socket for six days after
the surgical procedure.
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