Tigard Dentist Dr. Justin Marostica has been practicing dentistry at TenderCare Dental for over 7 years and has given instructions to hundreds of patients that have had tooth extractions. What follows are the instructions that he gives to his patients.
BITE ON GAUZE FOR 1 HOUR: Do not rinse your outh or spit today. Do not use drinking straws or smoke for at least three days. Tonight, start usual brushing and flossing, but do it twice a day for the next two weeks. Brushing your tongue, gums, and inner chekk surfaces, then rinsing with warm salt water will remove additional bacteria and improve healing. Rinse gently after meals to keep food from sticking to the wound or socket. If you were given an irrigating syringe, wait 3 days before using it to gently rinse directly in the tooth sockets after eating or brushing.
Mouth Rinse: 1/4 teaspoon salt with 6 oz. warm water (optional: and with 2 oz. of hydrogen peroxide).
PAIN MEDICATION: Ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Nuprin, Motrin), if tolerated, provides the best pain relief with the fewest side effects. Continue ibuprofen 400 mg every 4 hours to a maximum of 3200 mg per day. Acetomeniphen (Tylenol) and aspirin are alternatives to ibuprofen.
Narcotic pain medications (i.e. Percocet, Vicodin) can be used along with ibuprofen for added pain relief. The first 2-3 days after surgery are the most difficult.
Use the pain medication as needed for the first 48 hours, then taper off as you are able. Narcotic pain medications cause drowsiness. Do not operate machineryor drive.
If the socket seems to be healing well for a day or two and then becomes more painful, a dry socket is most likely the cause. If swelling develops that is painful when pressed, an infection could be developing. Painful swelling after the first 2-3 days should be evaluated for possible antibiotic treatment.
BLEEDING: Bite on the gauze placed in your mouth at the end of the procedure for one hour. If bleeding persists, place new, dampened gauze over the bleeding area so no blood escapes and hold it in place firmly for one hour. Repeat this process several times. If bleeding persists, bite on a moistened tea bag for one hour. Rest quietly. IMPORTANT: These measure will work only if the packs are on the bleeding area and are under pressure.
DIET: Nourishment for the next few days is very important. You may drink liquids when the guaze is removed. Start with sips of water, then progress to clear juices or chicken broth to settle your stomach. Soft foods may be eaten when the anesthetic wears off (some exercise of chewing muscles improves their function). An adequate fluid intake of at least two quarts a day is essential. A normal diet may be resumed as soon as possible. Multiple vitamins and especially Vitamin C (1000 mg twice a day) will help during the 2 months it takes for complete healing.
NAUSEA: Nausea is usually a side effect of taking narcotic pain medications such as Percocet (oxycodone) or Vicoind (hydrocodone). Try taking the minimum dosage prescribed, or even half a tablet, after putting some food in your stomach. If nausea contiues, you will need to change to a non-narcotic medication. See DIET also.
SWELLING: It is normal to have swelling reach a maximum 2-3 days after a surgical procedure in the mouth. It will then go down gradually during the next week. If swelling develops after 2-3 days, it should be evaulated for possible antibiotic treatment. Application of ice packs might make a difference in the amount of swelling experienced.
HEALING TIME: Gums and other soft tissues heal in about 2 weeks. Bone healing takes 2 months. Areas with residual numbness or tingling take up to 6 months to fully regain sensation. Sutures are resorbably, unless informed otherwise. They will loosen or dissolve in 3-5 days.
Women: Some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Until your next menstrual period, additional birth control precautions should be taken.
Leave a Reply