Tooth Extractions

While your mouth is still numb, be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue.  It’s best not to eat anything that needs to be chewed until the numbness wears off which should happen within a few hours.

When the numbness begins to wear off, it is a good idea to immediately take ibuprofen or the pain medication that you and Dr. Thomas discussed so that it will kick in before the numbness is completely gone.

Use ice packs on the side of your face over the extraction site to help limit swelling and discomfort.  If you don’t have frozen gel packs, you can improvise by crushing ice and using watertight baggies or bags of frozen peas to easily conform to the shape of your jaw line.  Alternate 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off with your ice packs.

If your extraction site is packed with gauze to limit bleeding, it should be left in place for 30-45 minutes after you leave the dentist’s office to help a blood clot form.  If light bleeding continues, dampen a clean piece of gauze, fold it up and place it over the extraction site, holding it in place with light bite pressure.  If it becomes soaked with blood, replace it with a clean one.  If heavy bleeding continues for more than a few hours, call Dr. Thomas for instructions.

If you are having difficulty stopping the bleeding with gauze, try using a moistened black tea bag and then cooling it and using it in place of the gauze.  The natural tannins in the black tea will help with clotting factors and also help shrink tissues to staunch bleeding.

While becoming a non-smoker is always a good idea for your oral health, it is important that you do not smoke for at least 24 hours after a tooth extraction.

When the blood clot that forms at the site of a tooth extraction is dislodged, it is called a dry socket and it can be very painful.  It also removes the protection to the socket that the clot provided and makes healing time longer.  So it is important to take steps to avoid dislodging the blood clot.

• Do not drink through a straw for at least 24 hours after your tooth is extracted.
• Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for 24 hours.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and mouthwash containing alcohol for 24 hours.
• Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours.
• Do not suck or spit for 24 hours.
• Do not disturb the extraction site with your tongue.
• Do not clean the teeth next to the extraction site for 24 hours.
• Avoid hot beverages for 24 hours.

You can brush and floss your other teeth the day of the procedure.  You can also brush your tongue to help cut down on odor causing bacteria and unpleasant tastes.  After 24 hours have passed, you can also begin rinsing your mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean and speed healing.  Stir a half teaspoon of salt into an 8 oz. glass of warm water and gently swish around your mouth.  Remember, do not rinse vigorously for the first few days as this can dislodge the clot.

It’s best to eat soft, nutritious foods for the first day after your extraction.  Once you start eating solid food again, it is best to chew on the side opposite of your extraction site for a few days.

If you have any of the following issues after your tooth extraction, call Dr. Thomas for further instructions.

• Fever, nausea or vomiting
• Ongoing or severe pain, swelling or bleeding after the first few hours
• Pain that gets worse instead of better