At the office of Sonrisa Family Dental, the care and comfort of our patients are our top priorities. Our goal is to help our patients enjoy optimal oral health and to keep them well informed every step of the way.
POST-OP CARE FOLLOWING AN EXTRACTION
- Maintaining gauze pressure
Following your extraction, some gauze to bite down on will be placed over the extraction site. Bite down on the gauze pad for 1 hour. Maintaining pressure on the gauze as instructed should stop any active bleeding. You may change the gauze pad after the first hour. Continue to bite down for another 45 minutes if heavy oozing continues. While it’s normal for a little oozing to continue for 24 hours, contact our office if you are still experiencing profuse oozing or bleeding.
- Until the local anesthesia wears off
Until the local anesthetic has completely worn off, it’s essential to protect yourself from unintentionally biting or injuring your lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.
- Take medications as prescribed
Antibiotics:
If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics, be sure to take the correct dosage and full course of medication as prescribed.
Pain management:
It’s helpful to take a pain reliever before the local anesthetic completely wears off. Over-the-counter (non-aspirin) pain medication may be taken to relieve discomfort. Any prescription pain medication should only be taken as directed.
- To facilitate healing
Do not rinse your mouth, spit, drink through a straw, or suck on candies. It’s essential to allow the extraction site to clot as well as not to dislodge the new clot once it has formed.
- Applying ice
An ice-pack held in place in the facial area overlying the extraction site helps to control swelling. Apply the ice for 10-minute intervals during the first day following your procedure.
- Avoid smoking
Smoking not only prevents clot formation, but it also interferes with healing. Avoid smoking and tobacco products for the first week.
- Watch what you eat and drink
Stay away from hot or spicy foods and drinks for the first day or two. Also, refrain from drinking any carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Stick with a diet of soft foods and liquids for the first couple of days following surgery. Drink plenty of fluids.
- Oral hygiene
Brush gently, it’s essential to take great care not to disturb or irritate the extraction site for a few days. A very mild lukewarm saltwater solution can be used to freshen your mouth. Remember not to rinse or spit that first day or two. Simply let any liquids gently fall from your mouth into the sink.
- An appointment for a follow-up visit
If sutures (stitches) were placed, or if a complex extraction, an infection, or other issues requires a visit to monitor your healing and progress, you will be given an appointment for follow-up care. It’s essential that you keep this appointment as provided.
If you experience continued bleeding, ongoing pain, more swelling, have a bad taste in your mouth, or other unusual symptoms, contact our office.
