If you are in doubt about anything, please contact our office. Post-extraction care is important, and your recovery may be delayed if instructions are neglected.
The day of the operation: NO SPITTING OR SMOKING FOR 24 HOURS MINIMUM
- Keep gauze in place with biting pressure for 2 hours
- If more than slight bleeding persists, repeat this procedure
- Do not rinse mouth or brush teeth
- Apply Vaseline to lips if sore
- Do not eat immediately after the surgery
- TAKE IT EASY
- If advised by the dentist, on the first day place ice to the area; 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off
The following day:
- Brush gently after meals
- Add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water to rinse the area at least 4 times daily; always after you eat and right before bed
- Maintain good nutrition. If you cannot chew, then drink
**TAKE PRESCRIBED MEDICATION AS DIRECTED**
Dry socket. This follows an extraction whereby the blood fails to clot in the formed socket. Onset occurs within 2 to 4 days of the extraction. You will be aware of this by the dull throbbing pain that is not alleviated by pain medication. Please contact the office if you are experiencing these symptoms.
The following can be expected to occur normally in proportion to the type of extraction involved:
Swelling: Should be the greatest on the second or third day after the surgery, and then slowly receding.
Discoloration: Black, blue or yellow areas may develop. These are bruises: the result of bleeding into the tissues and are of little significance.
Bleeding: A very slight, oozing of blood may occur for several days.
Discomfort: Difficulty of opening the mouth wide may occur. This should return to normal within a week.
Diarrhea: If taking antibiotics, please report all incidences of diarrhea or soft stool to our office as soon as possible.