Extraction Home Care Instructions
Pre-Operative Instructions
The following instructions may be helpful when preparing for your upcoming surgery. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any last minute questions.
Please alert the office to any allergies or sensitivities that you might have to antibiotics. You will be prescribed an antibiotic if Dr. Patel determines it to be necessary. You should receive your pre/post-operative prescriptions with an instruction sheet. For your convenience, please have them filled prior to your scheduled surgery unless they have been previously phoned sent into the pharmacy of your choice.
It may be important to stop taking aspirin and non-steroidals, such as Motrin and Advil, 7-10 days prior to your surgery. If you are taking Coumadin or another blood thinner, remember to discontinue them as directed. If you take antibiotic premed, please take it as directed before your surgery. You will feel better if you have eaten prior to surgery. We keep the office cool, so dress warmly.
In order to evaluate your progress and healing, we will see you for a post operative check up during the week following surgery.
Post-Operative Instructions
If Laser assisted surgery, please see the Post Laser Surgical Instructions
Post-Op Medications
After a tooth extraction you may feel some pain. Take pain medications as directed and call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.
Swelling
You may experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Bleeding
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times. Be sure to elevate your head when lying down. You may also enclose a moistened tea bag in a gauze square and apply pressure for 20 minutes. Call the office if the bleeding persists. After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot, as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and disturb the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
Diet
Until comfortable, avoid chewing on the side where the extraction was completed. A soft diet is recommended. Foods such as cottage cheese, oatmeal, soup, eggs, yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, casseroles and fruits are more easily eaten. Drink lots of fluids and you can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable. Remember, adequate nutrition is essential for feeling better, as well as for healing.
Brushing
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at lease once a day. This will speed up healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, sever pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days or a reaction to prescribed medications, call our office immediately.