Extractions

After an extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction times. If bleeding hasn’t stopped within a few hours, call our office to speak to the doctor.

After the blood clot forms it is important to protect it especially for the next 24 hours. The following activities will dislodge the clot and slow down healing.

Do not: smoke, suck through a straw, rinse your mouth vigorously, spit, clean the teeth next to the extraction site

  • Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours, this keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding and helps the healing process.
  • After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain. Use pain medication only as directed, and call the office if it doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
  • You might experience some swelling after the procedure. Ice packs will keep swelling and/or bruising to a minimum. Apply ice to your face on a “15 minute on a 15 minute off” cycle for the remainder of the day if possible. One way to make and effective ice pack is to put ice in a plastic bag and wrap in a towel, cloth or sock. If swelling persists after 48 hours, apply a warm moist towel. The swelling usually goes down after 48 hours.
  • Drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction. (Don’t use alcoholic beverages and avoid hot and spicy foods.)You can begin eating normally the next day or as soon as it is comfortable.
  • Gently rinse your mouth with salt water three times a day, beginning the day after the extraction (a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit). Also, rinse gently after meals. It helps keep food out of the extraction site.
  • It is very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours; this should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This speeds healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.

Call us right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the medication.

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