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Extraction
DO
• After an extraction, a wet gauze pad is
placed over the extraction site to prevent excessive bleeding and to
promote the healing of a blood clot. Keep pressure on it for 30-45
minutes.
• Some bleeding may continue after you remove
the gauze pad. If so, replace it with a new one. 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.
• If heavy bleeding persists after changing the
pad, call our office. However, you can expect your saliva to be
lightly tinged with blood up to 24 hours after extraction.
• Following an extraction, some swelling and
skin bruising may occur. A cold moist cloth or an ice bag applied to
the cheek will keep it to a minimum.
• Call our office if you have prolonged or
severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever.
• Take any medication we prescribed only as
directed.
• Wait until the bleeding has subsided before
you eat or drink. This usually takes 30 to 45 minutes after the
extraction. After that, drink lots of liquids and eat soft,
nutritious foods.
• When you are comfortable enough to eat solid
foods, try to chew on the side opposite the extraction site. If you
are troubled with any nausea, call our office for advice.
• Start brushing your teeth the day after the
extraction or when we recommend that you do so. However, avoid
brushing directly on the extraction site.
DON'T
• Do not smoke for the first 24 hours.
• Try not to accidentally bite the inside of
your mouth while it is still numb from the anesthesia that was used
for the extraction. The numbness should subside within a few hours.
Until then, you'll want to be careful not to bite your cheek, lip,
or tongue.
• Avoid activities that involve a sucking
action.
• These above-mentioned activities that create
suction in the mouth, which could disturb the clot that forms in the
tooth socket. The clot is an important part of the normal healing
process. If it is dislodged, healing might be delayed.
• Do not increase the recommended dosage of
medication. If you have prolonged or severe pain, call out office.
We will give you exact instruction on how to care for your problem.
• Do not rinse mouth vigorously.
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