What Does Recovery Involve?
How quickly you heal depends on the degree of difficulty of the extraction (a simple extraction of a fully erupted tooth versus a tooth impacted into the jawbone). In general, here's what to expect.
During the first 24 hours
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Bleeding may occur for several hours after tooth extraction. To control it, position a piece of clean moist gauze over the empty tooth socket and bite down firmly. Apply constant pressure for about 45 minutes. A moistened tea bag is an effective alternative. The tannic acid in tea helps healing blood clots to form (blood clots function similarly to a scab on an open wound). Repeat this process if a small degree of bleeding continues; if heavy bleeding continues to occur, contact your dentist or oral surgeon. Avoid rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after tooth extraction, avoid "sucking" actions (for example, don't drink beverages through straws or smoke) and avoid hot liquids (such as coffee or soup). These activities can dislodge the clot, causing dry socket (see below) to develop.
- Facial swelling in the area where the tooth was extracted typically occurs. To minimize swelling, place a piece of ice, wrapped in a cloth, on that area of your face on a schedule of 10-minutes on, followed by 20-minutes off. Repeat as necessary during this first 24-hour period.
- Pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) can be taken for minor pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe more potent pain relievers, such as narcotics, if necessary.
- Antibiotics that may have been prescribed prior to tooth extraction (to treat any active infection around the wisdom tooth to be extracted) should continue to be taken until the full prescription is gone.
- Foods should be chewed on the side of the mouth opposite the extraction. Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. In the case of difficult extractions, consume a soft or liquid diet for the first 24 hours.
- Continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the teeth directly neighboring the extracted tooth during the first 24 hours. On day two, resume the gentle brushing of your teeth. Do not use commercial mouth rinses - these can irritate the extraction site.
After 24 hours
- Facial swelling in the area of the tooth extraction should be treated with heat after the first 24 hours of ice. Apply a moist warm towel to the area on a 20-minute on, 20-minute off schedule. Repeat as necessary.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) after meals and before bed. Do not use commercial mouth rinses.
- Stitches, if used and if not of the self-dissolving type, need to be removed by your oral health care provider in about 1 week. If you do require stitches, ask what type you have been given.
- Watch for signs of dry socket (described below). This condition requires treatment by your oral health care provider.
- Complete healing doesn't occur for a few weeks to a few months following the extraction. However, usually within the first week or two, enough healing has taken place for use of your mouth to be reasonably comfortable in the area of the extraction.
Post Operative Care Instruction
- DO apply pressure to stop the bleeding by placing the gauze directly over the extraction site, and if bleeding persists please call our office
- Do place cold packs on area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 6 to 8 hrs, in case of any swelling
- DO eat only soft foods for the first few days, nothing grainy like nuts or popcorn
- DO take antibiotics or pain-reducing medication if prescribed.
- DON’T chew hard or crunchy foods such as nuts or popcorn for 2 weeks. These foods could become lodged in the extraction site or fracture the weakened jawbone.
- DON’T smoke after surgery. Inhaling creates suction and it could loosen the blood clot.
- DON’T over exert yourself.
- DON’T drink alcohol the day of surgery or while taking pain medications.
DON’T rinse for 24 hrs and then gently for the next few days. It could loosen the blood clot.
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