Care of the Mouth After Extraction

Day of Surgery Instructions
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CARE OF EXTRACTION SITE – Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do not rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects or your fingers. You may brush the teeth gently but avoid the area of your surgery for 24 hours. Do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours. Do not drink through a straw for two weeks.
BLEEDING – Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs. It is important that the gauze is applied directly to the site, not just between the adjacent teeth. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled. If active bleeding persists change gauze every 30 to 60 minutes until bleeding is almost none. If bleeding persists, wet a tea bag, place over extraction site and bite down firmly for 60 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING – Place ice pack, wrapped in a towel, to cheek side of operated area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 12 to 24 hours to help reduce any swelling.
PAIN – Anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen, for mild to moderate pain.
DIET – Do not drink through a straw for two weeks. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours. Soft diet is recommended for the first two days. Avoid extremely hot foods. It is advisable to confine the first day’s intake to bland liquids or pureed foods such as creamed soups, pudding yogurt, milkshakes, etc. Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., that may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace.
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Instructions for Second and Third Day
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MOUTH RINSES – Use one quarter teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8oz glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glass full. Repeat as often as you would like, but at least two to three times daily for the next five days. The cleaner you keep the surgical area, the faster it will heal. Do not use mouthwash for two weeks.BRUSHING – Begin brushing routine gently in surgical area.
WARM COMPRESS – After 48 hours, you may apply a warm compress to the cheek or neck areas of swelling (hot water bottle, moist hot towel, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe those tender areas.
BONE FRAGMENTS – Small bone fragments may work through the gums during healing. These are not roots; they are small pieces of broken, dislodged bone that will work out of the tissue on their own over time. However, if painful, return to the office for simple removal.
ANTIBIOTICS – You may or may not have been prescribed antibiotics. It is not always necessary to take antibiotics after extractions or oral surgical procedures. The doctor will determine if this is necessary or not.

Proper care following oral surgical procedures will ensure quick healing and recovery and prevent any post operative complications.