Post-Operative Instructions Following Tooth Extraction

Our goal is for your healing process after an extraction to be as comfortable as possible. The removal of teeth is a surgical procedure and post-operative care is imperative.  Please follow all instructions carefully to avoid any unnecessary pain and possible infection.  Immediately Following Surgery

*Keep the gauze pad placed over the surgical area with pressure applied by biting down 20 minutes at a time; it may need pressure for up to two hours off and on.

*Take your prescribed pain medication as soon as you begin to feel discomfort. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming less effective. *Do not suck on a straw, spit or smoke.

*Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.

*Place ice packs on the side of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for an explanation.

*For mild discomfort, use ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 800mg every 4-6 hours

*Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the affected area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding caused by dislodging the blood clot that has formed. After the first day, use a warm salt water rinse every 4 hours and after meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the area.  

*Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods which are comfortable for you to eat.  

Post Extraction Healing Following an extraction of a tooth a blood clot forms in the socket, usually within an hour. Bleeding is common in the first hour, but its likelihood decreases quickly as time passes, and bleeding has usually stopped after 24 hours. The raw opening takes about one week to heal. Thereafter, the socket will gradually fill in with soft tissue over a period of 1-2 months. Final closure of the socket with bony remodeling can take six months or more. Questions or concerns?  Call our office at (781) 942-2020.