What Does Recovery Involve? |
The healing depends on the degree of the extraction (a simple extraction of a fully erupted tooth versus a tooth impacted into the jawbone). In general, here's what to expect.
|
During the first 24 hours
|
- Bleeding may occur for several hours after tooth extraction. To control it, place a piece of clean moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and bite down firmly. Apply constant pressure for about 45 minutes. A moistened tea bag is an effective alternative. The tannic acid in tea helps healing blood clots to form (blood clots function similarly to a scab on an open wound). Repeat this process if a small degree of bleeding continues; if heavy bleeding continues to occur, contact your dentist or oral surgeon. Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after tooth extraction, avoid "sucking" actions (for example, don't consume beverages through or smoke) and avoid hot liquids (such as coffee or soup). These activities can dislodge the clot, causing dry socket (see below) to develop.
- Facial swelling is typical where tooth was extracted
To minimize swelling, place a piece of ice, wrapped in a cloth, on that area of your face on a period of every 10 minutes.. Repeat as necessary during this first 24-hours.
- Pain medications, ssuch as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be taken for minor pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe more potent pain relievers, such as narcotics, if necessary.
- Antibiotics that may have been prescribed prior to tooth extraction (to treat any active infection around the wisdom tooth to be extracted) should continue to be taken until the full prescription is gone.
- Foods should be chewed on the side of the mouth opposite the extraction. Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. In the case of difficult extractions, consume a soft or liquid diet for the first 24 hours.
- Continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the teeth directly neighboring the extracted tooth during the first 24 hours. On day two, resume the gentle brushing of your teeth. Do not use commercial mouth rinses - these can irritate the extraction site.
|
- Facial swelling in the area of the tooth extraction should be treated with heat after the first 24 hours of ice. Apply a moist warm towel to the area on a interval of every 20-minute Repeat as necessary.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after meals and before bed. Do not use commercial mouth Wash.
-
Stitches, need to be removed by your oral health care provider within a period of a week if not forsmoke the self dissolving type. . If you do require stitches, ask what type you have been given.
-
Watch for signs of dry socket (described below). This condition requires treatment by your oral health care provider.
- Complete healing doesn't occur for a few weeks to a few months following the extraction. However, usually within the first week or two, enough healing has taken place for use of your mouth to be reasonably comfortable in the area of the extraction.
|
Post Operative Care Instruction
|
- Do apply pressure to stop the bleeding by placing the gauze directly over the extraction site, and if bleeding persists please call our office
- Do place cold packs on the area on the interval of every 20 minutes for the first 6 to 8 hrs, in case of any swelling
-
Do eat only soft foods for the first few days, nothing grainy like nuts or popcorn
- Do take antibiotics or pain-reducing medication if prescribed.
-
DON’T chew hard or crunchy foods such as nuts or popcorn for 2 weeks. These foods could become lodged in the extraction site or fracture the weakened jawbone.
-
DON’T smoke after surgery. Inhaling smoke creates suction and it could loosen the blood clot.
-
DON’T over exert yourself.
-
DON’T drink alcohol the day of surgery or while taking pain medications.
-
DON’T rinse for 24 hrs and then gently start to rinse the next few days. It could loosen the blood clot otherwise. |
|
Adobe® Reader®
Copy right © by dentalbangkokcity 
