Post OP Instructions

Extraction wounds usually heal quickly and without complications if you take simple precautions. A blood clot must form in the tooth socket for the area to heal. Therefore, it is important to avoid activities that will disturb the clot.

1. No Smoking
2. No Drinking through a straw
3. No Rinsing for the first 24 hours
4. No Spitting
5. Limit activity for the first 24 hours

Avoid hot liquids for the first 24 hours. Drink lots of liquids and eat soft foods for the first day. After a day you can return to solid foods as soon as you can chew comfortably.

The extraction site may bleed a little for a couple of hours. Even a day later the site my ooze a bit. To help control the bleeding follow this procedure:

1. Fold clean, sterile gauze into a pad thick enough to bite and place directly on the bleeding site.
2. Close teeth firmly on the pad as to apply direct pressure.
3. Maintain pressure for approximately 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary.

After the first day, rinse very gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water). This will help the gum tissue heal. You may rinse as often as possible.

You may feel some pain and have some swelling. The swelling should go down after around 48 to 72 hours. Use pain medication only as directed or take a mild pain reliever such as Ibuprofen, Advil, and call the office if this does not seem to work. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if the symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

Call the office if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, increased or continued swelling after more then 3-4 days.