Tooth Extraction

Post Treatment Care Instructions

• LOCAL ANESTHETIC – The “freezing” will take a few hours to wear off. Use caution to avoid biting or burning yourself while still ”frozen”.
• BLEEDING – Continue to bite firmly on gauze for at least 30 minutes after leaving the office. Change the gauze when it gets too wet. Avoid talking and mouth movements for the first hour. If the bleeding has not stopped or starts again, bite on moistened tea bags for 30 minutes. If it continues to bleed, call this office or the emergency number for the dentist for further advice. A small amount of bleeding or pink tinged saliva is normal for the 24 hours after an extraction.
• SWELLING – You may have some soreness or swelling. Application of cold packs on and off for 5 minutes at a time will help alleviate this. DO NOT APPLY HEAT.
• MEDICATIONS – The dentist may have prescribed you antibiotics or pain killers. Take these as prescribed. Do not take Aspirin as this will increase the bleeding.
• DIET – Eat what you are comfortable eating. Drink plenty of water and eat a diet rich in Vitamin C and protein to help you heal faster. Do not drink through a straw, or eat anything spicy/sticky until the socket has healed.
• STITCHES -The dentist may have placed stitches. If they are the dissolvable type, you do not have to return to have these removed. If they are not dissolvable, you will need to return to have these out in 7-10 days.
• OTHER INSTRUCTIONS – Do not rinse your mouth for 12 hours, Do not chew on ice chips or chewing gum for at least 24 hours. Avoid smoking to prevent dislodging the blood clot from the socket.
• WHEN TO CALL THE DENTIST- If you are having pain not manageable by pain killers, increased bleeding or any other concerns, please call our office at 435-3784.