Immediately following your tooth extraction, we recommend that you:
- Keep pressure on the gauze pad over the extraction site. Try to maintain constant pressure for 45-60 minutes, or until bleeding lessens. Change the gauze as needed.
- Keep your head elevated.
- Lower your activity level as much as possible.
- For 48 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth with warm salt water every 1-2 hours. Do not use mouthwash containing alcohol, as this will irritate the wound.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing around the surgical site. Do not touch the wounded area or the sutures.
- Use ice packs to control swelling.
- Take all prescribed medications as directed. If swelling or itching occurs, contact our office immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.
- Maintain a soft diet.
- Stay hydrated, but do not drink through a straw for at least 5-7 days.
- Do not smoke for 3-4 days, as this will increase your risk of infection.
There will be a healing period of 3-14 days after your extraction. Your sutures should fall out or dissolve within that time, or you will have a follow up appointment with our dentists to have them removed. Over time, the empty tooth socket will fill in with bone and smooth over.
If you experience complications while healing, please contact our office. Common complications include:
- Bleeding the lasts for more than 48 hours
- Tooth fragments that were not removed during your procedure
- Dry socket
- Lightheadedness
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please call Adaptive Dental Associates at 908-847-4498. Dr. Robert Lo Giudice, Dr. Sheila Patel and associates, our dentists in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, will be happy to provide you with more information and address your concerns.