What To Do After A Tooth Extraction

Post-operative care after a tooth extraction procedure is critical to minimizing unnecessary pain and complications of swelling and infection. Here are some useful tips that can help speed up your recovery while reducing pain:

• Bleeding: After an extraction, a wet gauze pack is placed over the extraction site to prevent excessive bleeding and to promote healing of the blood clot. Keep pressure on it for 30-45 minutes and replace if bleeding continues. Slight bleeding may occur up to 2 days. Avoid smoking, spitting, or sucking through a straw for at least 48 hours.
• Rinsing: You can rinse your mouth gently with a glass of warm water mixed with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. You can do this every 3-4 hours a day, especially after meals.
• Swelling: Following an extraction, some swelling and skin bruising may occur. A cold moist cloth or an ice bag applied to the cheek will keep the swelling to a minimum. Place on affected area for about 5-20 minutes every hour for the next 6 hours.
• Medications: If non-aspirin medication doesn’t relieve the discomfort; a stronger medication can be prescribed. Be sure to use all medications as directed.
• Food: A light diet with plenty of fluids is recommended on the first day. Avoid carbonated or hot beverages. Chewing should be done away from extraction site.
• Oral Hygiene: Continue brushing and flossing and be extra gentle near the extraction site.
• Chips: During healing, you may notice small, bony fragments working their way through the gums. We can easily remove them if they become bothersome.