AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION

or Post-Surgical Instructions

After Tooth Extraction care and correct dental instructions may contribute to your health and well-being.

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

Control Bleeding

• 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.
• DO NOT SMOKE for 24 hours after surgery because this will cause bleeding, pain and interfere with healing.

Rinsing

• 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 tooth-brushing and every 2 hours.
• Swish Butler Rincinol™ P.R.N.™ in your mouth and it will find any sores, providing fast, effective pain relief.

Bacterial Plaque Control

• Brush the teeth gently.
• Avoid the surgical site.

Rest

• 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.

Diet

• Use a liquid or soft diet high in protein.
• Drink a large volume of water and fruit juices.
• Do not drink through a straw because this may promote bleeding.
• 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 diet 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 numbing 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, IBUPROFEN, KETOPROFEN, NAPROXEN SODIUM, ACETAMINOPHEN

Swelling and Icepacks

• 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.

Bruising

• 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.

Sutures or Stitches

• 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 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 have any questions.

Keeping Infection Under Control After Tooth Extraction

If you have difficulty fighting off infections 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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