Tooth Extraction

Home care instructions following a tooth extraction!

Reduce your activity for 24 hours

Wound care: do not disturb the wound.  Avoid rinsing the mouth, spitting and sucking through a straw the day of surgery.  Avoid smoking at least 48 hours.  The above activities can result in complications with wound healing including dry socket.

Pain: A variable amount of pain is common following most extractions and oral surgery procedures.  Take medications as prescribed by your dentist.  Excessive or increased pain after the third day following surgery is not normal.  Please call if this should occur, as you may need to return for further evaluation.

Bleeding: A slight amount of bleeding or oozing is expected up to 24 hours or more.  A small sterile gauze compress was placed on the wound following your procedure.   Please maintain steady biting pressure on the gauze for 20-30 minutes.

If heavy or prolonged bleeding occurs:

  1. Gently wipe excess blood from mouth.
  2.  Place a clean sterile gauze pad directly over the bleeding area and maintain firm steady biting pressure for 30 minutes.  If not successful, repeat procedure with gauze soaked in a strong tea solution or bite on a moist tea bag for another 30 minutes.
  3. Remain quiet, sit upright, apply ice pack to face and do not spit.

Swelling: To minimize swelling, apply ice pack to face for 15-20 minutes, remove for 15-20 minutes, repeating throughout the day following surgery.

Mouth rinses: Begin warm salt rinses ( 1/2 teaspoon salt with full glass of water) after meals and every 2 hours the day after surgery.

Discoloration: bruising is a normal response to healing and may persist for up to several weeks.

Diet: Eat a soft, nutritious diet with plenty of fluids.

Stitches: Stitches are placed in the gums following many oral surgery procedures.  Your dentist will advise you if a return appointment for removal is needed.

Brushing: Resume normal oral hygiene routine 24 hours following surgery.  Soreness and swelling may prohibit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please be as thorough as possible.

Please call if prolonged bleeding, swelling or severe pain is experienced.