After Extractions

Once the blood clot has formed, it’s essential to take care not to disrupt or dislodge it. While at home, avoid the following during the first 72 hours to prevent this:

• Vigorous rinsing
• Use of straws
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Brushing the wound with a toothbrush
• Vigorous activity or exercise for the first 24 hours

Pain and swelling can follow a tooth extraction. You can minimize swelling by applying an ice pack to the surgical area. Pain can be managed with Tylenol, ibuprofen, or any other pain medication we prescribe. These side effects usually subside after about 48 hours. If the pain medication does not seem to be working, contact our office. In addition to pain medication, we may also prescribe antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection. It’s essential to follow the prescription and dosage for antibiotics as directed and finish the prescription.

After the extraction, we recommend drinking plenty of fluids and staying hydrated. On the first day of the procedure, eat nutritiously but limit your diet to soft foods. You can begin to eat normally after that first day as soon as you feel comfortable.

Within 24 hours of the extraction, you should resume your regular dental routine of brushing and flossing your teeth. Do this at least once a day. Keeping your mouth clean will increase the healing time while keeping your mouth feeling fresh and clean.