Surgical Tooth Extraction

When the tooth extraction requires an incision and raising a flap of tissue to get access to the tooth, it is called surgical. This is the case with most wisdom teeth. Here's advice on what to do after a surgical tooth extraction:

• You should follow the above three instructions on bleeding.
• For pain medication, you've probably been given a prescription pain reliever. This prescription should be taken as needed for pain. There isn't a strict prescribed schedule, but you should take the medication according to your individual needs.
• There will be swelling afterward. The more extensive the surgery that was required to remove the tooth, the more swelling there will be. Swelling occurs the first day and then usually peaks the second day. If you continue to swell beyond the second day, you should contact the dentist-you may have an infection. You can minimize the swelling in two ways: with ice packs applied to your face near the surgery for the first two days, and then by keeping your head elevated at night. Use an extra pillow. A raised head keeps fluids from accumulating in the head area.
• Keep the area of the surgery as clean as you can. The gentlest rinse you can use, when you've had a surgical incision, is warm salt water. You mix about half a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce cup of water, and then swish with that. Starting the day after surgery, you can brush the teeth next to the extraction site. Do this gently, however, because there is a risk of tearing the tissue that has just been sutured. Stay on your teeth only-don't brush your gums as you may be used to doing. But cleanliness is very important. Food particles promote the growth of bacteria, which cause infections. You need to get rid of these food particles for proper healing. If it was wisdom teeth that were removed, it's going to be hard to keep the area clean, but it's going to be extra important, because those surgical sites are some of the most prone to getting infected.
• Eat only soft things the day of the surgery-fluids, milk, ice cream, puddings, etc. Starting the second day, you can start trying to eat other foods only if you feel up to it. The best advice here is to listen to your body and not push yourself to eat things you don't have the strength to chew.
• You will have pain and it may be hard to open your mouth very far. This is normal. Your pain should lessen and your ability to open your mouth should improve some each day. If these things don't get better, it could signal an infection and you should call your dentist.

Post-Op Instructions: After a Tooth Extraction

After an extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why your dentist will ask you to bite on a gauze pad. Place another gauze pad on the area and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times. After the blood clot forms, it is important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. It is important to not:

• Smoke
• Suck through a straw
• Rinse your mouth vigorously
• Clean the teeth next to the extraction site

These activities could dislodge the clot and slow down healing.

Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours. This keeps your blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding, and helps the healing process. After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and have some swelling. You can use an ice bag (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours. TO control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. Do not take medication on an empty stomach or nausea may result. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Also:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Eat only soft, nutritious foods on the day of the extraction
• Do not use alcoholic beverages
• Avoid hot and spicy foods

You can begin eating normally the next day, or if not by then, as soon as it’s comfortable. Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and then gently rinse, swish, and spit). Also, rinse gently after meals. This helps keep food out of the extraction site. It is very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your breath and mouth fresh. Call your dental office right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after two or three days, or a reaction to the mediation. After a few days, you will be feeling fine and can resume your normal activities.