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AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION

Aftercare and  correct dental instructions may contribute to your health, recovery, and healing. These recommendations could be also used for the following procedures and situations named as: post extraction or after tooth removal or after teeth extraction or post tooth extraction or after wisdom tooth extraction or extraction healing or healing from tooth extraction or extraction pain or after tooth pulled or tooth is bleeding.

Key Benefits of Accurate Dental Care and Instructions:

• Make post-surgical infection less likely or less severe.

• Reduce local bleeding at the time of the surgery and after.

• Promote post-surgical healing.

What to do After Tooth Extraction

• Bite firmly the gauze pack over the surgical area for, at least, 1/2 hour; then discard it gently.
• Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery for several hours and it is normal.
• Do not spit, or suck through a straw, since this will promote bleeding.
• When bleeding persists at home, place a gauze pad or cold wet teabag over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes.
• Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue.
• Keep your head elevated on several pillows or sit in a lounge chair for 12 hours.
• NO ALCOHOLIC or CARBONATED BEVERAGES for 24 hours after surgery.
• DO NOT SMOKE for 24 hours after surgery because this will cause bleeding, pain and interfere with healing.

• Do  not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for the first 12 hours after the surgical appointment. Then use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup [4 ounces] of warm water) after brushing teeth and every 2 hours.
• Swish Butler Rincinol™ P.R.N.™ in your mouth and it will find any sore or soreness, providing fast, effective pain relief.

• Brushing the teeth and mouthwash gently.
• Avoid the surgical site.

• Get plenty of rest; at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Avoid strenuous exercise during the first 24 hours, and keep the mouth from excessive movement. Physical activity may increase bleeding.

• Use a liquid or soft food high in protein.
• Drink a large volume of water and fruit juices.
• Do not drinking through a straw because this may promote bleeding and dry socket.
• Avoid hot food for the first 24 hours after surgery because this may promote bleeding.
• Eat a soft diet for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction.
• Avoid foods that require excessive chewing.
• You can resume a normal eating the day after tooth removal.

Pain and Discomfort

• Some discomfort is normal after surgery. It can be controlled by taking the pain medication your dentist has prescribed or recommended.
• Start taking your  pain pills before the numbness medication has worn off.
• Take your pain pill with an 8 oz. glass of water and/or a small amount of food to prevent nausea.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications or Painkillers may be used for temporary pain relief. Take these as directed on the package and around the clock. Do not overdosing on these generic drugs:
• ASPIRIN, or IBUPROFEN, or KETOPROFEN, or NAPROXEN SODIUM, or ACETAMINOPHEN

Dry Socket

• Dry socket occurs within 3 - 5 days after surgery when blood clot falls out of socket. Without  blood clot present, jaw bone is exposed to cold water and air, which is extremely painful.
• Dry socket causes radiating jaw pain up and down the face.
• Symptoms also include bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, headache, and earache (ear pain).
• If you follow this instruction, you will minimize your chances of getting dry socket.

• Swelling after surgery is a normal body reaction.
• Swelling reaches its maximum about 48 hours after surgery, and usually lasts 4-6 days.
• Applying ice packs over the area for the first 24 hours (no longer than 20 minutes at a time) helps control swelling and may you more comfortable.
• Heat is not used for swelling.

• You may experience some mild bruising in the area of your surgery.
• This is a normal response in some persons and should not be cause for alarm.
• It will disappear in 7-14 days.

• If stitches were placed in area of your surgery, your dentist will tell you if and when they need to be removed (usually in about 1 week).
• Many times stitches are used which are self-dissolving (7-10 days) and do not require removal.

Call your Dentist or a Hospital Emergency Room for Treatment if:

• You experience discomfort you cannot control with your pain pills.
• You have bleeding that you cannot control by biting on gauze.
• You have increased swelling after the third day following surgery.
• You have a fever.
• You notice bony edges or small, sharp bone fragments.
• You notice any symptoms of dry socket.
• You have any questions.

Keeping Infection Under Control After Tooth Extraction

If you have difficulty fighting off infection you may need to take antibiotics after tooth extraction. This includes those who:

• Have had bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart.

• Were born with heart defects.

• Have damaged or artificial heart valves.

• Have artificial joints, such as a hip replacement.

• Have diabetes or another disease that causes an impaired immune system.

• Take steroids for other conditions, such as Crohn's disease or asthma.

Aleksandr V. Melekhin, DDS

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