What Happens After My Tooth Extraction?

Here's everything you need to know from Dr. Nkungula to help prepare for dental care after your visit:

Post - Operative Mouth Care

Care of the mouth following a surgical procedure is essential in the healing process.

Bleeding: Some bleeding and oozing is normal for several hours after your procedure.

• Avoid spitting, use of a straw and smoking.
• Bite down on gauze pack in mouth for 20-30 minutes and then discard or change if necessary.
• If bleeding is more than slight, bite down firmly on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes.

Discomfort: If prescription was given, use as directed.

• Take prescription as soon as you get home and before local anesthesia (numbing) wears off.
• Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach as it may cause nausea.
• If no prescription was given, over-the-counter medications (e.g. Aspirin, Advil) can be taken.

Swelling: Some degree of swelling is normal and can be minimized with the use of cold and hot gel pack - the table below is a guide.

Diet: A soft or liquid diet is recommended for the first few days following surgery.

• Until local anesthesia (numbness) wears off, be careful chewing to prevent biting the numb area.

Care of mouth: Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for the first 24 hours after surgery as vigorous rinsing interferes with clot formation and slows healing

• After 24 hours,begin gentle warm salt water rinses for one week at extraction site and resume gentle brushing of remaining teeth.
• Avoid use of alcohol, smoking or carbonated drinks for 1-2 days after surgery.

Note: Antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of birth control medications. Additional methods of birth control should be used while on antibiotics.