DO YOU NEED THE GENTLE CARE OF AN EMERGENCY DENTIST ?
PATIENT POST EXTRACTION INSTRUCTIONS
1. ♦ ANESTHESIA: The feeling of numbness will begin to wear off in 30 minutes to 4 hours. Until that time, avoid all hot foods or liquids, and do not chew. This prevent accidentally burning or biting the lips, cheeks, inside of the mouth, or tonque until feeling has returned. ANY CONCERNS ABOUT PROLONGED NUMBNESS OR BLEEDING, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE.
2. ♦ GAUZE PACK: Fold the gauze into a small pack and place over the extraction site. There should be firm biting pressure on the extraction site. Maintain firm biting pressure on the gauze for one to two hours. Change the gause pack every 15-30 minutes. You will be informed wether the site had stitches placed. It provides tissue support and prevention of blood clot lost which is important for the site healing process.
3. ♦ BLEEDING: To prevent unnecessary bleeding, maintain firm gentle pressure over the sockets by biting on gauze placed over the surgical site. You will be given a supply of gauze pads. If more are required, they are readily available in supermarkets or drug stores. A tea bag, which has been moistened an wrapped in a piece of gauze, is also effective because of the clotting ingredient tannic acid found in tea leaves. This procedure should be continued for 2-3 hours until most of the bleeding stops. It is normal for the extraction site to bleed slightly or ooze blood for 12 to 24 hours following surgery. Rest and keep your head slightly elevated. DO NOT engage in physical activity since this promotes bleeding.
4. ♦ MEDICATIONS: If you do not have your medication and if prescription medications were prescribed please pick them up. If sedative medications were administered, do not drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Follow the prescribed label instructions and that of your pharmacist carefully. DO NOT TAKE ASPRINS PRODUCTS due to the possible increase in bleeding potential. For most extractions, a non-aspirin over the counter pain medication will provide good pain relief. DO NOT take more than the manufacture or doctor recommended dosage of any over the counter or prescription medication(s). If you experience any untoward side effects from the medication(s), please discontinue taking them, and call our office. FOR SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS SEEK MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY.
5. ♦ ICE PACKS: To help prevent swelling, ice packs should be applied on the sides of your face adjacent to surgery site. This is especially important if bone was removed. To the extent possible, apply for periods of 20 minutes on and 15 minutes off until bedtime on the day of surgery. By 48 hours, swelling should be noticeably down. If it is not, check with the doctor. In the event of facial or neck bruising, its resolution can be expedited with frequent heat packs and massage.
6. ♦ EATING: It is important to get nutrition after surgery to help the healing process. A liquid or soft diet should be followed for the first 12-24 hours. You may desire to start with fruit juices and then progress to a soft diet. It is important to drink plenty of liquids for the first day or two following surgery. Avoid the use of a straw as it may dislodge the blood clot that is forming the extraction site. Begin chewing foods when you are able to do so without it hurting. Since your tooth or teeth removal, your jaw is now hallow and weaker than before. For that reason, you should not chew forcefully for 5-6 weeks. Doing so could bring about a bone fracture.
7. ♦ ORAL HYGIENE: Rinsing and brushing. Starting on the day after surgery carefully cleans the rest of your mouth as usual. Avoid bumping or brushing the extraction site. DO NOT RINSE OR SWISH YOUR MOUTH for the first 24 hours following surgery, since this will contribute to clot dislodgement and dry sockets. Avoid the alcohol base rinses. After 24 hours, rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon table salt in 8 oz. water) every few hours. Do Not Swallow. Besides early rinsing, using a straw and smoking can contribute to loss of the clot and potentially painful dry sockets. It is best to refrain from smoking for 4-5 days. We recommend quitting.
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