FV Magazine / Tooth extraction post operative instructions

BLEEDING

After an extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Doctor will ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after an extraction. If bleeding continues after you remove the gauze pad, place a new one on the area and bite firmly for another 30 minutes more.

After the blood clot is formed, it’s important to protect it, especially for the first 24 hours.

It’s important NOT TO:

Gargle
Smoke
Suck through a straw
Closed mouth sneezing or hold sneezes in
Blow your nose
Rinse your mouth vigorously
Clean the teeth next to the extraction site.

ACTIVITIES

Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours. This keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding, and helps the healing process.

After a few days, you’ll be feeling fine and can resume your normal activities.

PAIN AND SWELLING

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and have some swelling. During the first 48h after extraction, you can use an ice bag (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.

After 48h, warm compresses, firm massage on the swelling region for 20 min 4-5 times a day will help as well.

To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. Don’t take medication on an empty stomach as nausea may result. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

DIET

Drink lots of cold fluids
Eat only soft, nutritious food on the day of the extraction
Don’t drink alcoholic beverages
Avoid hot and spicy foods.

You can begin eating normally the next day, or if not by then, as soon as it’s comfortable.

ORAL CARE

Gently rinse your mouth with mouthwash Kin Gingival^® mouthwash (Chlorhexidine 0.12%) 4 times per day from 24h after extraction. Also, rinse gently after meals. This helps keep food out of the extraction site.

It’s 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 but do not brush on the extraction sites. This will speed healing and help keep your breath and mouth fresh.

If your lips are sensitive or irritated, apply Vaseline^® pure ointment several times a day until you feel comfortable.

WHEN TO CONTACT US

In case of:

Important bleeding
Severe pain
Persistent swelling
Feverabove 38.5 Celsius degree for more than 4 hours
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Worsening abdominal pain
If you are vomiting of blood or have blood in your urine or stool.

Call FV Hospital’s Dental & Maxillo-facial Surgery Department (during office hours) or Accident & Emergency Department (out of office hours) or go directly to FV Hospital’s Accident & Emergency Department.

Make sure you have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon at the FV Hospital’s Dental & Maxillo-facial Surgery Department 1 week after the procedure.