Now that your extraction has been completed, please follow these procedures to make yourself more comfortable, promote healing, and help prevent complications.

BITE ON THE GAUZE FOR 1 HOUR WITHOUT CHANGING IT

DO NOT rinse your mouth or spit for the rest of today

DO NOT smoke for at least 48 hours and as little as possible over the next few days.

Tomorrow: start rinsing with warm salt water to remove bacteria and improve healing. Rinse gently after meals to keep food from sticking to the wound or socket. Avoid using over the counter mouthwashes as many of these contain alcohol which may prolong healing. Today, start usual brushing and flossing twice a day. You may want to avoid using toothpaste only for today and brush carefully in the area to avoid traumatizing the extraction site.

Mouth Rinse: ½ teaspoon salt /8oz. warm water

BLEEDING

Some bleeding/oozing is normal following all procedures for 14-48 hours. Keep your head slightly elevated for the first 24 hours. If bleeding is more than slight, place 2 pieces of folded gauze over the bleeding area and hold it in place firmly for 30 minutes. This may be repeated several times. If bleeding persists, bit on a moist tea bag for 30 minutes. If bright red, heavy bleeding has not stopped after you have attempted all of the above-call your dentists immediately! Please do not wait for a few hours after you have attempted all of the above to call!

DIET

DO NOT use drinking straws for the next few days.

Nourishment for the next few days is very important. You may drink liquids when the gauze is removed. Avoid drinking carbonated or alcoholic beverages. Soft foods may be eaten when the anesthetic wears off and a normal diet may be resumed as soon as possible. Avoid hard crunchy foods for the next several days.

PAIN

The first 12-48 hours after surgery are the most difficult. Use medication as prescribed for severe pain. Use Advil, Nuprin, Aspirin, or Tylenol if needed for mild to moderate degrees of pain.

NAUSEA

Nausea is usually a side effect of taking a narcotic pain medication. Try taking the minimum dosage as prescribed, after putting something in your stomach. (You can cut the tablets in half and take half of a tablet instead of a whole one.) if nausea continues, you will need to change to a non-narcotic pain medication.

SWELLING

It is normal to have swelling reach a maximum 2-3 days after a surgical procedure in the mouth. It will then go down gradually during the next week. Apply ice-packs to the outside of your face and leave on for 20 minutes, remove for 20 minutes, and repeat only for the first 12 hours after the extraction. If swelling develops after 2-3 days, it should be evaluated for possible antibiotic treatment.

BONE SPLINTERS

These occasionally work their way through the gums during healing. Smaller, loose, easy to see pieces of bone can be removed with tweezers. Larger pieces, or those that are difficult to see may need to be removed by your doctor. Sharp bony ridges may require another surgery to smooth.

SUTURES

Unless your doctor informed you otherwise, dissolving sutures have been used. These will last from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the type used. If bothersome, loose threads can be removed with small scissors.

IN THE EVENT YOU FEEL YOUR POST-OPERATIVE COURSE IS MARKED BY EXCESSIVE PAIN, SWELLING OR BLEEDING, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR.