Have you got your tooth removed recently? Please find below the post operative instructions for dental extractions.
- Normally, the local anesthetic effect lasts for 2 to 3 hours after injected.
- Bite on a sterile gauze pad or cotton roll for 30 to 45 minutes after the extraction. This aids in formation of blood clot. Blood clot stops further bleeding and also initiates the healing process.
- Blood clot thus formed is to be protected for next 24 hours. Activities like smoking, sucking through a straw, rinsing the mouth vigorously, spitting, cleaning the teeth next to the extraction site will dislodge the clot and slow down the healing process.
- Keeping the blood pressure lower by limiting to calm activities reduces bleeding and aids healing process.
- Swelling and some amount of pain after extraction is normal. Ice pack will help to keep this minimum.
- Medications for pain are to be used as directed by the professional only. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated duration of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection and pain are gone.
- If medications don’t seem to be doing well, call your dental professional for further alterations in medications.
- Don’t use alcoholic beverages and avoid hot and spicy foods.
- You can begin eating normally the next day or as soon as it is comfortable.
- 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, rinse-swish-spit). Also, rinse gently after meals, 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.
- Too much of pampering of your jaws, by inhibiting you from your normal activities of jaws will only constrict your muscles. Which in turn will lead to difficulty in mouth opening and severe pain. To avoid this do mouth exercises to resume your normal jaw motions.
- Call your dental professional right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the medication.
