Post Treatment

How to care for your mouth after an extraction

1. Don’t rinse mouth for 24 hours.
2. Keep fingers and tongue away from socket.
3. Bleeding. Some bleeding following tooth extraction is to be expected. If unusual, place a wet sterile gauze pad firmly over the site of extraction, and bite down or hold in place with pressure for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Avoid hot liquids.
4. Swelling. Use plastic bag or towel filled with ice against affected area for 5 minutes on and 10 minutes off for one hour. Swelling may start after tooth has been removed but is no cause for alarm.
5. Food. Light diet is advisable during first 24 hours.
6. Next day rinse mouth with ½ teaspoon of table salt in an 8-ounce glass of very warm water after meals. Repeat for the next 2 or 3 days if necessary.
7. Bony edges. After teeth are extracted, you may feel hard projections in the mouth and think they are roots. This is usually the hard, bony partition that surrounds the roots of the teeth. These generally break away or work themselves out.
8. If antibiotics are prescribed, take full amount of medication, even if symptoms have disappeared.
9. In case of unusual symptoms, call the office at once.

Procedures following periodontal surgery

1. There may be a dressing around your teeth. It will protect the surgical area. Chew on the side opposite the dressing. If the dressing comes off, don’t worry, the area will heal well without it. After the first few days the dressing need not be replaced unless it enhances your comfort.
2. Do not smoke, rinse, expectorate or exercise for the remainder of the day. This may start a bleeding problem. You may begin salt-water rinses 48 hours after the procedure. If you were given a rinse to use, begin rinsing the night of your procedure.
3. Ordinarily, a little bleeding will occur if the dressing is undisturbed. If you notice slight oozing around the dressing don’t’ worry about this. If the bleeding seems severe or persists, apply pressure to the gum with a moistened gauze pad for 20 minutes. Do not rinse, this will only wash away the blood clot and increase bleeding.
4. To avoid swelling apply ice for 15 minutes on, 15 off for the first 48 hours. To carry away any swelling or bruising, apply moist heat 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Do not apply heat until at least 48 hours after the procedure.
5. Do not brush the area where the procedure was done. You must continue to clean the rest of your mouth.
6. Do not eat hard, spicy, or fibrous foods. You will be more comfortable if you eat softer, milder foods.
7. Medication: please take all medications as prescribed. They will keep you comfortable and give us the best results.
8. Ice cream: plain vanilla ice cream (no nuts, chips or fudge) is incredibly soothing following a surgery. Enjoy it and feel comfortable (remember, there are no calories if it’s for medical purposes!).
9. If you have any concerns, please call the doctor at 631-587-7373 during office hours. If the doctor is not the office, call our service at 631-587-7373. Please leave a message and the doctor will return your call.

Thank you for trusting us to help you.