DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA: For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start the natural healing process. Please do not spit out or drink through a straw and avoid hot liquids and foods as you may dislodge the clot. Be sure to chew only on the opposite side for the next two weeks.
BLEEDING: You will leave the office with gauze placed at the extraction site, please keep biting on this applying pressure for at least 30 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You can bite on another gauze or a tea bag for an additional 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red and it may seem like there is more bleeding than there actually is, this is normal. If the bleeding is gushing rather than oozing,we may need to see you, please contact us if you are concerned so that we can give you further advice.
SMOKING: NO SMOKING for 48 hrs. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body and suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at a far greater risk of developing a painful Dry Socket Infection.
PAIN: Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take ibuprofen, paracetamol or similar non-aspirin pain reliever every 3 to 4 hours for two days to maintain comfort. It is better to take pain relief ahead of pain. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose stated on the label. Taking with food or milk will help reduce nausea. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
NAUSEA: This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food or milk, and take the pill with a large glass of water.
SWELLING & BRUISING: Applying an ice pack to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day. Don’t lay down flat to sleep, prop yourself up on a couple of pillows, this will help to reduce swelling and bruising. Taking arnica tablets can help to reduce any bruising. Remember bruising and swelling are a normal part of the healing process.
NUMBNESS: The local anaesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 6 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, keeping your mouth clean will reduce the risk of infection.
RINSING: Avoid all rinsing and swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and increase risk of dry socket infection. After 24 hours begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution (2 teaspoons salt in 1 cup warm water). Do this for 5 days up to 5 times a day, especially after eating. Avoid strong mouth rinses such as Listerine or Savacol unless instructed to use by your dentist.
DIET: Eat soft foods for the first two days and up to two weeks if a back tooth was extracted. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Return to normal regular meals as soon as you feel able after the first two days. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
ACTIVITY: Rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day and avoid sports for 2 days. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
ANTIBIOTICS: If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
SINUS: If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or sneezing hard. You should also avoid smoking and drinking with a straw for two weeks. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended. Sinus exposure will usually heal without problems if careful adherence to these sinus precautions are followed. It is very important to avoid smoking for at least a week in the case of sinus exposure.
BONE FRAGMENTS: Occasionally small bone fragments may work their way out following an extraction. This is normal and no cause for alarm. They may feel sharp to the tongue and sore. These are not a piece of tooth but small splinters of bone that will fall out on their own. Rinsing with warm salt water and not touching the area will help, do not try to remove the fragment. You may need to take pain medication if it becomes uncomfortable.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS: You may need to return to the office to have sutures removed, or just for a brief follow-up healing check. If you have not been booked for a review please let us know if you feel your healing is not progressing as expected and we will arrange for you to be seen.
Please call your dentist if you have:
• Uncontrollable pain
• Excessive or severe bleeding
• Marked fever or reaction to medication prescribed such as rash or difficulty breathing
• Excessive warm swelling occurring a few days after the procedure
Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.