Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the successful healing of your tooth extraction.
When to call us: It is normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after a tooth extraction, but call us right away if you have:
During the first 24 hours it is important that a blood clot forms on the extraction site to stop bleeding, reduce pain, and speed healing. To protect the clot and avoid the pain of dry socket:
To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as directed.
To keep swelling to a minimum, use an ice bag over the cheek area, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
When the numbness has worn off completely, drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods, chewing on the opposite side.
After the first 24 hours begin to eat normally as soon as it’s comfortable.
Resume brushing and flossing, but clean gently around the site for about a week.
If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
If pain medication has been prescribed, take as directed.
Reduce soreness or swelling by applying moist heat. Swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.
Further reduce swelling or discomfort by rinsing your mouth very gently with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. Rinse two to three times a day for the week following the extraction.
Should you experience any of these symptoms longer than what has been mentioned, please call the office at 405-728-7171.