Post-Operative Instructions: Tooth Extraction
Post-Operative Instructions: Tooth Extraction
If you have recently had a dental extraction from your Winter Park dentist, you may be wondering what care instructions you should follow. We often get specific questions from patients in the hours and days following the extraction, so we have compiled a thorough list of situations and answers to help with a speedy recovery.
Immediately following your extraction until the end of the day, please remember the following:
Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed.
Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.
Do not smoke or vape.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.
You should avoid actions like spitting, sucking on straws, smoking, and poking the surgical area. This can disturb or even remove the formation of blood clots and increase the chances of an infection or a dry socket.
As you continue to heal from the extraction, you may have specific questions about your symptoms and how to care for your teeth. Here are some specific tips for each aspect of post-operative care from tooth extractions.
Bleeding after your extraction
After your extraction, we will provide you with gauze to bite on, which will help control the bleeding as you leave our office. Our staff will also offer you a small pack of additional gauze, which you will change out as it begins to soak up.
As you leave our office, you will continue gently biting down on the gauze to apply pressure to the extraction site. The original gauze we provided should be changed in about 20 to 40 minutes. Replace it with a few pieces of fresh gauze, which can be folded to provide additional padding. You should expect minor bleeding, but it will subside quickly and usually stop within 1-2 hours.
You may continue to see some “spotting” on the gauze throughout the day. However, if the bleeding continues after several gauze changes, you can bite on a moistened tea bag instead. The tannic acid in the tea bag will help promote clotting so the bleeding can subside quickly. If you do need to use a tea bag, use a small amount of water to moisten it, then gently bite on the bag like instructed with the gauze.
If you are unable to control the bleeding, please get in touch with our office at 407-813-1788.
Managing swelling after your extraction
Every patient experiences a slightly different amount of swelling after the extraction. Typically, the doctor will advise you if the nature of your extraction causes more swelling. Most patients at our office only experience minor swelling and may choose not to manage the symptoms with ice. However, applying an ice pack to the area will minimize swelling shortly after your extraction.
In the extraction area, you may use an ice pack on your cheek (outside your mouth). Alternate with the ice pack on and off for 10-15 minutes. You may repeat this as many times as you are comfortable. You may choose to repeat this the next morning as well. However, starting on the third day, using a heat pack instead of ice will help quickly reduce swelling.
Typically, the extractions performed at our office are not surgical; therefore, our patients have minimal swelling that can be easily managed.
If you are experiencing swelling after your extraction, you should also keep your head elevated when resting and sleeping.
Eating and drinking after your extraction
Immediately after your extraction, you will likely still feel numb from the anesthetic, and you should avoid chewing anything until the numbness wears off. When ready, please eat soft foods within the first 24 hours, like soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, protein shakes, pudding, and ice cream. You should avoid very hot foods and drinks, as well as spicy foods, while you are recovering. As advised, do not drink through a straw for the first week after your extraction.
For the next few days, we recommend avoiding hard or crunchy foods that may stress the extraction site more. For an additional two weeks, you should avoid all foods that can break and become lodged in the extraction site – such as popcorn, chips, and nuts. If food particles become lodged in your extraction site, gently rinse the area with warm water and avoid disturbing the healing site. If you cannot remove a food particle, please call our office to help assess your recovery.
We advise staying hydrated and nourished as you recover to promote your body’s natural healing abilities.
Oral hygiene after your extraction
You can continue brushing and flossing your teeth the morning following your extraction, but you will want to completely avoid the extraction area. Please be mindful and gentle so as not to disturb the extraction area. Additionally, it is important to rinse your mouth without spitting or swishing water forcefully. You should extend your mouth over your sink and let the water flow gently. Do not use any alcohol-based mouth rinses for the first week after the extraction.
Starting the next morning after your extraction and for the next few days, we recommend rinsing with warm salt water after your meals to help keep food particles and any irritants out of the extraction site.
Please remember to be gentle when brushing, flossing, and rinsing!
Medications after your extraction
Most of our patients' extractions are not surgical in nature and typically only require over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, if our doctor has prescribed you a specific medication, you must follow the instructions provided by the pharmacy.
Regarding over-the-counter pain medication, Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), up to 800mg every 6 hours, can be taken unless you are allergic or have been instructed not to take it.
If you were prescribed antibiotics before or after your extraction, you should continue to take and finish the prescription as instructed. You must finish taking the entire prescription.
Wrapping up
We urge you to follow the above care instructions and precautions as closely as possible. We want you to heal quickly and without issues. The instructions are provided to minimize the chance of developing a “dry socket” at the extraction site, which can be painful and prolong your recovery. While healing, we recommend reducing your strenuous activity and allowing yourself to rest. If you have any questions following your extraction, please do not hesitate to contact us or call our office!
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