Post Operative
Instructions for Extractions

Important Steps to Follow After Tooth Extraction

Post Operative Instructions for Extractions

Important Steps to Follow After Tooth Extraction

Importance of Tooth
Extraction Post-Op Care

Tooth extraction post-operative care is of utmost importance as it plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and successful recovery process. Proper care helps minimize the risk of complications, promotes healing, and reduces discomfort. Following post-op instructions, such as keeping the extraction site clean, avoiding strenuous activities, and adhering to prescribed medication and diet guidelines, helps prevent infection, excessive bleeding, and dry socket formation.

Importance of Tooth
Extraction Post-Op Care

Tooth extraction post-operative care is of utmost importance as it plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and successful recovery process. Proper care helps minimize the risk of complications, promotes healing, and reduces discomfort. Following post-op instructions, such as keeping the extraction site clean, avoiding strenuous activities, and adhering to prescribed medication and diet guidelines, helps prevent infection, excessive bleeding, and dry socket formation.

Bleeding

To control bleeding, bite firmly on gauze for 60 minutes after extraction (do not chew on gauze). Change gauze as it becomes soiled with blood and saliva (about every 20 minutes). It is important to allow a blood clot to form and stabilize. Avoid probing the area with your fingers, tongue, or other objects. Some oozing is normal for up to 24 hours after extraction. It is common to wake up with small amounts of blood on your pillow the next morning. Placing a towel on your pillow is recommended. If you experience excessive bleeding, apply firm pressure with 1-2 folded gauze pads or a 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.

Dry Socket

A dry socket is when the blood clot becomes dislodged (comes out). This causes constant moderate-severe discomfort and usually occurs 3-5 days after the extraction. To avoid a dry socket, DO NOT smoke, spit, rinse, drink through a straw, blow your nose forcefully, or drink alcohol for the next 48-72 hours. A dry socket can also be caused by exercise and getting food lodged in the site.

Bleeding

To control bleeding, bite firmly on gauze for 60 minutes after extraction (do not chew on gauze). Change gauze as it becomes soiled with blood and saliva (about every 20 minutes). It is important to allow a blood clot to form and stabilize. Avoid probing the area with your fingers, tongue, or other objects. Some oozing is normal for up to 24 hours after extraction. It is common to wake up with small amounts of blood on your pillow the next morning. Placing a towel on your pillow is recommended. If you experience excessive bleeding, apply firm pressure with 1-2 folded gauze pads or a 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.

Dry Socket

A dry socket is when the blood clot becomes dislodged (comes out). This causes constant moderate-severe discomfort and usually occurs 3-5 days after the extraction. To avoid a dry socket, DO NOT smoke, spit, rinse, drink through a straw, blow your nose forcefully, or drink alcohol for the next 48-72 hours. A dry socket can also be caused by exercise and getting food lodged in the site.

Swelling

Moderate swelling is normal, and should be expected. Apply cold compresses (ice pack) to the affected area at 15-20 minute intervals for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling. Any swelling that occurs usually begins to diminish within 72 hours. Sleep with your head slightly elevated to help keep swelling down. Please call our office when swelling extends up into your eye or down your throat causing closure or constriction of either, or if you begin running a fever.

Rinse

After 24 hours, please gently swish with warm salt water. Do this after meals and before bedtime. If you were given an irrigation syringe, please gently irrigate the area with warm salt water after every meal on days 3-7.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids (NOT through a straw) and avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Eat soft cold foods for the first 24 hours (like smoothies, yogurt and protein drinks). A soft diet is recommended for at least 3 days. Examples of soft foods: yogurt, pudding, smoothies, gelatin, protein shakes, ice cream, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and mashed potatoes are recommended. For the first 2 weeks avoid the following: chicken noodle soup, chicken, steak, rice, nuts, seeds, chunky soups, red pepper flakes and popcorn because they may get lodged in the extraction site.

Oral Hygiene

After 24 hours, you may brush and floss your teeth. Be gentle. Do not spit or rinse forcefully, let the fluid passively empty. Avoid mouth washes for at least the first week.

Sutures

(Stitches) If sutures were placed, they will dissolve on their own and will not need to be removed unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Prescriptions

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them until they are all gone, even if symptoms dissipate. Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills or other medications so be cautious while taking both. If pain medication or other medications are prescribed, take them as directed.Take Ibuprofen for the first 2 days whether you believe it is needed or not to help with inflammation and swelling. Take 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours and take 500mg of Tylenol between doses of Ibuprofen.

Activity

Limit exercise for the first week to nothing more than a light walk. Avoid strenuous exercise, running, and heavy lifting during this time.

Rinse

After 24 hours, please gently swish with warm salt water. Do this after meals and before bedtime. If you were given an irrigation syringe, please gently irrigate the area with warm salt water after every meal on days 3-7.

Swelling

Moderate swelling is normal, and should be expected. Apply cold compresses (ice pack) to the affected area at 15-20 minute intervals for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling. Any swelling that occurs usually begins to diminish within 72 hours. Sleep with your head slightly elevated to help keep swelling down. Please call our office when swelling extends up into your eye or down your throat causing closure or constriction of either, or if you begin running a fever.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids (NOT through a straw) and avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Eat soft cold foods for the first 24 hours (like smoothies, yogurt and protein drinks). A soft diet is recommended for at least 3 days. Examples of soft foods: yogurt, pudding, smoothies, gelatin, protein shakes, ice cream, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and mashed potatoes are recommended. For the first 2 weeks avoid the following: chicken noodle soup, chicken, steak, rice, nuts, seeds, chunky soups, red pepper flakes and popcorn because they may get lodged in the extraction site.

Oral Hygiene

After 24 hours, you may brush and floss your teeth. Be gentle. Do not spit or rinse forcefully, let the fluid passively empty. Avoid mouth washes for at least the first week.

Sutures

(Stitches) If sutures were placed, they will dissolve on their own and will not need to be removed unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Prescriptions

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them until they are all gone, even if symptoms dissipate. Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills or other medications so be cautious while taking both. If pain medication or other medications are prescribed, take them as directed.Take Ibuprofen for the first 2 days whether you believe it is needed or not to help with inflammation and swelling. Take 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours and take 500mg of Tylenol between doses of Ibuprofen.

Activity

Limit exercise for the first week to nothing more than a light walk. Avoid strenuous exercise, running, and heavy lifting during this time.

Come Visit Us

Visit us in Harrisburg for premier family dentistry, where personalized care welcomes all ages. Your smile’s health and beauty are our top priority—join our family and let us take care of yours!

4291 School House Commons
Harrisburg, NC 28075

Call: 704-456-9611

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 7:00am-4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Directions to Our Office

Schedule Now

Come Visit Us

Visit us in Harrisburg for premier family dentistry, where personalized care welcomes all ages. Your smile’s health and beauty are our top priority—join our family and let us take care of yours!

4291 School House Commons
Harrisburg, NC 28075

Call: 704-456-9611

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 7:00am-4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Directions to Our Office

Schedule Now