Services



Post Extraction Care

Anesthesia
The feeling of numbness will begin to wear off in 30 minutes to 4 hours. Until that time, avoid all hot foods or liquids, and do not chew. This is to prevent accidentally burning or biting the lips, cheeks, inside of your mouth, or tongue until the feeling has returned.

Gauze Pack
Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on directly on the extraction site. Apply moderate pressure by closing the teeth firmly over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes. If the pad becomes soaked, replace it with a clean one as necessary. Do not suck on the extraction site and do not use a straw to drink liquids. A slight amount of blood may leak at the extraction site until a clot forms. However, if heavy bleeding continues, call your dentist. (Remember, though, that a lot of saliva and a little blood can look like a lot of bleeding).

The Blood Clot
After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket. This clot is an important part of the normal healing process. You should therefore avoid activities that might disturb the clot.

Here's how to protect it:
  • Do not smoke, or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities create suction in the mouth, which could dislodge the clot and delay healing.
  • Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You should, however, brush and floss your other teeth thoroughly, gently rinse your mouth afterwards.
  • Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form. Get plenty of rest.
  • If you have sutures, your dentist will instruct you when to return to have them removed.

    • Ice Pack - For the first 2 to 8 hours after the extraction, ice packs should be applied to the outside of the face over the area of the extraction site. The ice pack should be held in place for 15 minutes on, and then removed for 15 minutes. Doing this throughout the day will help reduce discomfort and swelling.

    Medications - DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN PRODUCTS due to the possible increase in bleeding potential. If prescription medications were prescribed please follow label instructions carefully. For most extractions, a non-aspirin over the counter pain medication will provide good pain relief. Do not take more than the recommended dosage!

    Diet
    After the extraction, drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew comfortably. For about two days, try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site.

    Rinsing
    The day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water). Rinsing after meals is important to keep food particles away from the extraction site. Do not rinse vigorously!

    Possible Complications:

  • Dry Socket- This is sometimes a problem after surgery. The symptoms associated with dry socket are constant moderate to severe pain, bad taste, putrid odor, and poor clot formation at the surgical site. If you think you have ANY of these symptoms call our office as soon as possible.

  • Fever- Monitor your temperature for the first 24 to 48 hours. Any elevated temperature should be reported to our office.

  • Swelling- Some swelling during the first 24 to 48 hours can be expected.

    • Please call us if you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or fever.
    Audible/Visual Explanations
    Disponible en Espanol

    Post - Surgery Instructions
    Tri State Family Dental Centers
    800 First Ave, Evansville, IN 47710    |    (812) 425-4206
    960 S. Hebron Ave, Evansville, IN 47714    |    (812) 473-1900
    TriState Family Dental Centers    |    800 First Ave, Evansville, IN 47710     (812) 425-4206    |    960 S. Hebron Ave, Evansville, IN 47714     (812) 473-1900

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