After tooth extraction

It is important to follow the instructions above for comfortable, uneventful healing.  Again, please note that some discomfort and swelling are normal after any surgery.

Don’ts

  • Don’t dislodge the blood clot that has formed as it helps with the healing process.
  • Do not pick at or play with stitches.
  • Don’t eat anything before the bleeding stops.
  • Don’t drink through a straw.
  • Don’t rinse your mouth or spit.
  • Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
  • Don’t eat hard foods.  Avoid granular foods like couscous, fried rice, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, pepper corns, nuts, etc.
  • Don’t brush aggressively near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.

Pain

  • If the pain causes you excessive discomfort, take the medication you were prescribed. Take the medications consistently.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotics for this treatment, continue to take them for the specified time period even if the symptoms are gone.

Food

  • Eat only soft foods or lukewarm liquids the day of the extraction. Resume your normal eating habits as soon as you are able.

The days following the procedure until full healing

  • Rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water). Follow the instructions in the section above.
  • Brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque and ensure the best long-term results. Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.
  • Avoid hard foods (nuts, candy, ice).
  • You may have trouble speaking and produce extra saliva. This should subside within a week.
  • There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days. This is totally normal.
  • You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should diminish in four to five days.  Be patient, as with any surgery.
  • If the pain increases after three days, call our office.

You will feel better after a few days and can resume your normal activities.  If you experience heavy bleeding, pain, continued swelling for two to three days or a negative reaction to the medication, call us at 514 849-3014.