We hope you are feeling well following your visit with us today! To ensure proper healing, we do have a few recommended aftercare instructions we’d like to recommend.Following a restorative tooth extraction, a blood clot needs to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction. If bleeding or oozing continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another thirty minutes. You may have to repeat this process several times to stop the bleeding. After the blood clot forms, it is very important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours.
FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS:
NO HOT BEVERAGES
NO SODA POP
NO DRINKING THROUGH A STRAW
NO SMOKING
NO ALCOHOL
Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours; this keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding, and helps the healing process. Drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the extraction day. Don't use alcoholic beverages and avoid hot and spicy foods. You can begin eating normally the next day.
After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and some swelling. You can use an ice pack for 20 minutes on, and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours to keep swelling to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours. Use pain medication only as directed, and call the office if it doesn't seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
Gently rinse your mouth with salt water three times a day beginning the day after the extraction (a tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water). Also, rinse gently after meals as it helps keep food out of the extraction site. It is very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours; this should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This speeds healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.
Please note that small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during the healing process. These are NOT roots. If you notice this becomes uncomfortable or annoying, please contact us.
Call us immediately at 509-468-4040 if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the medication.
