After a Tooth Extraction

It is important to follow the instructions below to speed healing. Note that some discomfort and swelling are normal after surgery.

 

Day of surgery

  • Keep the compresses in your mouth for one to two hours, applying firm pressure. Change the pads every half hour, as needed.
  • Keep your head elevated at all times.
  • Apply ice to your cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes of ice every hour).
  • If bleeding occurs, bite down on a gauze pad or lightly moistened tea bag for 20 minutes.
  • Bleeding and coloured saliva are normal postoperative effects.
  • Limit your physical activity. Rest.

 

Don’ts

  • Don’t dislodge the blood clot that has formed as it helps with the healing process.
  • Don’t eat anything before the bleeding stops.
  • Don’t drink through a straw.
  • Don’t rinse your mouth or spit.
  • Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
  • Don’t eat hard foods.
  • Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.

 

Pain

  • If the pain causes you discomfort, take the medication you were prescribed.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotics for this treatment, continue to take them for the specified time period even if the symptoms are gone.

 

Food

  • Eat only soft foods or lukewarm liquids the day of the extraction. Resume your normal eating habits as soon as you are able.

 

The day after until full healing

  • Rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).
  • Brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque and ensure the best long-term results. Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.
  • Avoid hard foods (nuts, candy, ice).
  • You may have trouble speaking and produce extra saliva. This should subside in a week.
  • There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days.
  • You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should diminish in four to five days.
  • If the pain increases after three days, call our office.

 

You will feel better after a few days and can resume your normal activities. If you experience heavy bleeding, pain, continued swelling for two to three days or a negative reaction to the medication, call us at 450 746-1616.
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