What to do after Tooth Extraction
AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 45 minutes after the appointment. After that take something cold (Ice cream without nuts etc) and drink anything cold (non aerated – cold water/frooti/maaza/juice etc) along with a dose of prescribed medicines. Patients with diabetes may take sugar free ice cream, cold water, sugar free non aereated cold drinks etc.
Day of surgery
- Keep the gauze pack in the mouth for 45 min – 1 hour by maintaining a firm pressure and replace them every half-hour, as needed.
- Always keep your head elevated.
- Apply ice on the cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes every hour).
- If you are bleeding, bite into a gauze or a humidified teabag for 20 minutes.
- Blood-tinged saliva is a normal postoperative effect.
- Limit your physical efforts and don’t forget to rest.
- Do not dislodge the blood clot that has formed in the tooth socket because it helps to heal.
- Do not eat anything until the bleeding has stopped.
- Do not drink through a straw.
- Do not rinse your mouth or spit.
- DO not smoke or consume alcohol.
- Do not eat hard foods.
- Avoid brushing your teeth near the extraction site for the first 72 hours.
Pain
- If you are experiencing some pain, take the medication that has been prescribed to you.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics for this treatment, continue to take them for the specified time period, even if the symptoms go away.
Diet
- Only eat cold and soft foods or cold liquids on the day of the extraction. Resume your usual diet as soon as you are able to after 24 hours.
From the next day and until complete healing
- Rinse your mouth three times a day with warm water and salt (2 ml or 1/2 tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water). If you have Hypertension (BP), do not use salt, use only warm water.
- Brush and floss every day to remove plaque and ensure better results in the long term.
- Avoid brushing near the extraction site for the first 72 hours.
- Avoid eating hard foods (nuts, candies, ice).
- You may experience pronunciation difficulties and an increased amount of saliva. Everything should come back to normal within a week.
- Bruising may appear on the skin. It will disappear after five to seven days.
- You may have difficulty opening your mouth. It should come back to normal after four to five days.
- If after three days the pain increases instead of decreasing, call us.
After a few days, you will feel better and be able to resume your normal activities. If you are bleeding heavily, feeling pain, and experiencing swelling since two or three days or if you are having a reaction to the medication, call us at 8800211141.
To know more about Getting your teeth removed and the solutions for its replacement, meet Dr. Vimal Thareja MDS, at SmileMax Dental Clinic, Rani Bagh, Pitampura or contact us at 8800211141.