Breaking down common dental procedures can help patients feel more informed and
comfortable about their dental care. Here’s an overview of tooth extraction - why it is performed and what to expect after the procedure.
- Purpose: To remove teeth that are damaged, decayed, or causing crowding.
- Procedure: Can be a simple extraction for visible teeth or a surgical extraction for impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth, involving more complex procedures.
NSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY/EXTRACTION
1- Take your pain medicine as directed.
2 - Keep pressure on gauze for at least 1 hour. A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. Blood tinted saliva may be seen for about 36 hours. If bleeding occurs after you return home, place a small moistened gauze pad (about the size of a teabag) or a moistened teabag directly over the socket for at least 30 minutes, holding it in place with moderate biting pressure. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure. If bleeding continues return to the office immediately or phone the office if after 5:00 P.M. If a dental prosthesis has been inserted, do not remove for any reason until you have been seen in the office. DO NOT SMOKE FOR AT LEAST 48 HOURS FOLLOWING THE SURGERY. FORCEFUL SPITTING AND EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TEND TO INCREASE AND PROLONG BLEEDING as does bending over and picking up objects. A semi-reclining position and rest for the first few hours is recommended.
3 - DO NOT DISTURB: Keep fingers, tooth picks, or other matter that may cause infection out of the mouth. Keep your tongue away from the surgical area.
4- DO NOT RINSE the mouth for 24 hours following extractions. You may then gently rinse the mouth with a warm salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water) 4 or 5 times a day for several days. Do not rinse with commercial mouth washes. After 24 hours you may gently brush the teeth which are not close to the area of the surgery.
5 - To help minimize the ordinary postoperative swelling, apply an ice pack to the face over the operated area, 20 MINUTES ON, 20 MINUTES OFF FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS. If the swelling persists the third day, discontinue the ice pack and begin using warm moist compresses. It is not unusual to have some swelling the second day or third day.
6- It is important to maintain a good diet. A cool soft diet is advisable for the first day or so. You should drink plenty of fluids (6 to 8 glasses per day), but no straws are to be used.
7 - During the healing process, small sharp fragments of bone may loosen and work through the gum. These fragments, which are not roots, usually work their way out by themselves. If they are annoying return to the office so the dentist can advise or treat.
8 - If pain or swelling occurs after the wound is apparently healed, return for an examination.
9 - Return to our office for treatment and suture removal as instructed.
Feel free to contact us if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery (727)734-1557
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