Bleeding:
After tooth extraction, It is common to have some blood (Oozing) in saliva for 24hours after treatment, however Bleeding should never be severe. It’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding to begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to:
- bite on a gauze pad for 45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, insert another Moist gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times until bleeding stops.
Pain and Swelling Management:
Pain and discomfort after surgery is expected, start taking your pain medication within 4 hours after your treatment before the anesthetic wares off. Remember to take medication with food to prevent nausea.
- If you were given a prescription, follow that prescription. If you were not given a prescription, take Tylenol or ibuprofen every 3–4 hours for the mild discomfort.
- Use ice packs on the surgical area (side of face) for the first 48 hours; apply ice 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off. (Note: Bags of frozen peas works too) After 48 hours, it is usually best to switch from ice to moist heat to the same areas.
Diet:
It is important not to skip meals, especially if you are diabetic so you can still to your regular insulin regiment! Taking nourishment regularly not only gives your body strength and makes you feel better, it also provides the necessary nourishment for wound healing and speedy recovery.
- I have included a separate section (Follow this link) that goes over diet recommendation after having your extraction.
- Drink plenty of fluids. (Do not use a straw—this creates suction in the mouth that could cause Dry Socket).
Instruction for the FIRST 24 hours
- Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after your surgery.
- Do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous activity and do not exercise for at least 3–4 days after surgery. After that, be careful: your regular caloric and fluid intake have been reduced, so you may get light-headed, dizzy, or weak.
- If you have a temporary denture placed in your mouth immediately after extraction, it is suggested to keep it in your mouth overnight for the first night.
Instruction for the SECOND DAY onward
- Start your normal oral hygiene practice. Because of the pain and swelling, rigorous brushing of all regions may not be possible, but please make every attempt to clean your teeth as much as possible, while not brushing the extraction area.
- Use a warm salt water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the surgical area. (Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouthwash can be added for better taste.)
Sutures
If you have sutures placed, some are resorbable sutures which will come out on their own as time and healing goes by. In some case, the Dr. might place nonresorbable sutures which will be removed at a later date during your surgical followup appointment.
If PAIN persisting past 3 days:
After tooth extraction, normal healing should be as follows: the first day of surgery is usually the most painful, with some soreness and swelling. On the second day, you should feel much better and, while the area is still swollen and tender. you should be ready to resume a more substantial diet. The remainder of your postoperative course should be marked by steady and gradual improvement from the third day onward.
If a distinct, continuous throbbing pain in the jaw occurs after the 3rd to 5th day after your extraction, a DRY SOCKET (loss of blood clot from socket) may have occurred.
The pain associated with Dry Socket is often radiating into the ear and onward along the jaw, causing neighboring teeth to hurt.
If you are experiencing those symptoms then call our office so that we can address this condition (needs an in office care), as soon as possible, as we do not want you to suffer needlessly.
Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Dr. Mustafa Alani 