When to Contact the Office

• Excessive bleeding that lasts more than four hours, or new bleeding from the site.
• Swelling that worsens after 2-3 days.
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, pus, or redness.
• Pain that doesn’t improve after taking pain medication, severe pain that lasts more than four hours, or worsening days after the procedure.

After Care Instructions

• Do not disturb the area
  For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start the natural healing process. Swishing, sucking through a straw, and smoking can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours.
• Bleeding
  When you leave the office, you might be biting on gauze to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 minutes. Don’t change it during this time; it needs to remain undisturbed while a clot forms in the extraction socket. After 30 minutes you may remove it. You may bite on another gauze or a tea bag for another 30 minutes if you feel it is still bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the saliva can make your saliva appear quite red. This is normal and may be noticed the rest of the day after the procedure. It is not uncommon to see red stains on your pillow the morning after an extraction. 
• Smoking
  Smoking should be stopped following surgery. Healing and success of the surgery will be substantially reduced by the cigarette smoke chemicals in your body. Also, the suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot. Smokers are at greater risk of developing a painful Dry Socket.
• Pain
  Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take the recommended over-the-counter medication advised by your dentist. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication is prescribed, take it as instructed on the label. Don’t exceed the dose on the label. Taking with food or milk will help reduce upset stomach. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery when taking pain prescriptions. Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.
• Nausea
  This is most often caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
• Swelling
  Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling. Apply for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
• Numbness
  The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area. Sometimes the extraction causes residual numbness or tingling for six weeks or longer.
• Brushing
  Brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days. Approach the site very gingerly for 1-2 weeks.
• Rinsing
  Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and the risk of a dry socket. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a saltwater solution 3-4 times daily for 1 week (1 teaspoon salt + 8 ounces warm water). Avoid commercial mouth rinses with alcohol.
• Diet
  Eat soft foods for 3-7 days. Rule of thumb – if you can cut it with the side of a fork, it is probably soft enough. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Return to normal regular meals as soon as you are able to after 1 week. Use discretion. Drink plenty of water. 
• Activity
  After leaving the office, rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
• Bone Graft
  It is likely a bone graft was placed in the socket after the tooth was removed. This is to preserve the site for a future implant or denture. You will be given an antibiotic prescription to prevent any infection. It is not uncommon to notice small specks or sandy granules in the area with a bone graft.
• Antibiotics & Prescriptions
  If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone. Not everyone will need antibiotics following a tooth extraction.

  Women: some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.

• Sinus
  If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or stifling a sneeze for one week. The use of decongestant medications might be recommended.
• Stitches
  If your dentist placed stitches in the extraction site they will likely dissolve on their own in 1-2 weeks. Take care to avoid the area with your tongue as this may cause the stitches to come out prematurely. If your stitches need to be removed by the dentist you will be scheduled an appointment 1-2 weeks after your procedure.