Post-operative Instructions after surgical tooth extraction

The following article will help you regarding the instructions to be followed after a normal or surgical tooth extraction. Usually, it take 5 to 7 days to regain the complete comfort level for  the patient. No need to get anxious or tensed for tooth extractions. For a highly skilled professionals like Dr Arun Jose Kachapilly and Dr Uma Kachapilly  our dentist in thane dental clinic ( Aruma dental and implant clinic), its a very common and usual procedure.

FIRST DAY

Continue biting on the gauze for 30-60 minutes following your tooth extraction procedure. Do not spit, rinse, suck (using a straw), smoke, drink carbonated or alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. The goal is to keep blood clot in the socket to prevent bleeding and a painful complication known as DRY SOCKET.

1. After 1 hour, remove the gauze and drink 2-3 glass of water or any non carbonated liquid.
2. Take your pain killer and antibiotics as prescribed by the dentist or surgeons of Aruma dental and implant clinic. Usually, patients are asked to intake pain killers within 1 hour after the procedure.
3. Your lips and tongue will be numb and can be traumatized by hot foods and vigorous chewing.So avoid chewing till the numbness or local anesthesia effect is completely gone.It takes on an average 3 hour for the anesthesia to completely  wear or sometimes may be more than 3 hour.
4. Place ice over your cheeks in relation to extracted tooth site . Rotate the ice pack on and off or side to side every 30 minutes for 24 hours.Apply ice for 10 to 15 seconds intermittently for 30 minutes. Continue for the entire day after every 2 hour interval.This will help in reduction of swelling.
5. Each meal should consist of bland, soft foods that do not require chewing. . You should be eating 5 to 6  small meals per day and drinking 2-3 glasses of juice and/or water per hour.Get plenty of rest.
6. Plan on resting with your head elevated on 2 or 3 pillows.  Place Vaseline on your lips if they are dry.

SECOND DAY

You will likely still be swollen and have mild to moderate pain.No need to panic. Start a soft food diet (any food you can cut with a fork). Continue drinking plenty of fluids. Continue oral hygiene care similar to day 1. Take your medication as prescribed. Avoid vigorous activity that elevates your heart rate.Do not spit on second day also.Spitting is allowed only after 24 hour. The spitting should be with mild pressure and it should not be vigorous gargling or high pressure spitting after 24 hours. Gently brush with warm water (avoid toothpaste) and rinse with warm salt water. Do not spit – allow the rinse to drip out of your mouth and then wipe off your lips.

THIRD & FOURTH DAY

You will likely still be swollen and have mild to moderate pain.Again no need to panic. Advance your diet as tolerated. You may start brushing with toothpaste, flossing and using over the counter mouth rinse. Continue to avoid vigorous rinsing, sucking, or spitting.

FIFTH DAY

Swelling may be present, but will be significantly decreased. It may take up to 2 weeks for all the swelling to resolve if its surgical extraction and 5 days for normal tooth extraction.  Return to normal diet and activity as tolerated.

General instructions after tooth extraction

• AVOID the following activities: Sucking, spitting or rinsing vigorously for the first 3 days.Smoking or tobacco use for the first week .
• Discomfort: Over-the-counter- pain medication may be taken as directed  by the Doctor to relieve discomfort.
• Swelling: Apply cold compresses to affected area at 30 minute( Intermittent ice application: 10 second on and second off) intervals for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling. Any swelling that occurs usually begins to diminish within 72 hours; call the clinic  if there is no change.
• Stitches: If you have received sutures, avoid playing with them. A fifteen minute appointment will be needed to remove the sutures in 7-10 days.
• Bleeding: In case of severe bleeding ,call the dental clinic immediately. Some oozing of blood is normal for the first 12-24 hours. Put a hand towel on your pillow as some drooling can occur when you are numb. If you experience excessive bleeding, apply firm pressure with 1-2 folded gauze pads or damp tea bag on the affected area for 30-60 minutes and keep your head elevated. Call the office if the bleeding does not subside. Bleeding usually happens if the patient spit accidentally within first 24 hour.
• Prescriptions: If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed until they are all gone, even if symptoms dissipate. Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills or other medications. If pain medication or a mouth rinse is prescribed take as directed.
• Diet: Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages. A soft diet will be easiest: yogurt, milkshakes (no straw), soups, fish, pasta. Nothing too spicy is recommended. It is normal to have a little tenderness while chewing and difficulty opening wide.

In case of any unusual disturbances, questions or any post surgical problems, please call the dental clinic.