Post-procedure care is very important after extractions. It is most important that you take the best possible care of the tissue while healing. The cleaner the mouth is, the better the healing process.
- After the blood clot forms, it is very important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids in healing. If the clot is dislodged, the bone underneath the extraction site will be exposed, resulting in a painful condition called a dry socket. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, consume hot liquids or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 24 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
- After a tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum ?Äì 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off ?Äì for the first six hours following the extraction.
- Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat to provide nourishment, aiding in the healing process. You can eat normally, with the exception of hot liquids, as soon as you are comfortable. Limit your diet to soft foods, like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, apple sauce and soft cooked eggs for the first 48 hours. Please keep up with your fluid intake, as well.
- Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding when when lying down.
- Use pain medication as directed, if prescribed. Call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.
- If sutures (stitches) were placed, they will dissolve in 10-14 days. If nonresorbable sutures were placed, Dr. Nguyen and staff will let you know to return for a suture removal appointment.
- The space left by the tooth will feel a bit strange to you at first. Eventually, new bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap left by the extraction. Depending on your case, a bone graft may be recommended at the time of extraction.
