AFTER EXTRACTION/SURGERY
- Bite firmly onto the gauze provided for at least 30 minutes after your extraction. This will help stop the bleeding. Change the Gauze every 30 minutes until the bleeding has stopped.
- Put an ice pack on the cheek at the site of extraction for about an hour- a few minutes on and few minutes off.
- It is not necessary to replace the gauze if the bleeding has stopped by the first 30 minutes. You can also bite down on a used tea bag.
- Pink coloured saliva is normal.
- If the bleeding does not stop within 60 minutes, please contact us or make your way here whilst keeping firm pressure on the site.
For optimal healing, it is vitally important that a blood clot forms in the socket and that this clot is protected. Disturbance of the clot can lead to increased bleeding. Complete loss of this blood clot can result in a painful condition called “Dry Socket”
During the first 24 hours
- Avoid ALL rinsing. Chew on the opposite site to the extraction. Soft foods are recommended.
- Keep your head elevated (to stop the flow of blood to your head)
- Avoid spitting or sucking fluids through a straw or rinsing vigorously
- Avoid disturbing the surgical area with your tongue or lips or pulling on the cheeks with your fingers.
- Avoid cigarettes -smoking may dislodge the blood clot or prevent a blood clot forming. This delays healing and can also result in “Dry Socket”.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity or exercising
After 24 hours
- Light rinsing with warm salt water every 4 hours (during the day time) is strongly recommended.
- Salty rinsing after eating is ideal.
- Continue this for 5 days after your extraction, or until the growth of gum tissue has sealed the wound.
- This helps to keep the healing socket clean and avoid infection.
NOTE
- Some discomfort and swelling is expected after an extraction. Please take the medication as recommended by your dentist. If pain should persist beyond 48 hours, contact our clinic for assistance.
- DO NOT TAKE ASPRIN. It is a noted blood thinner and will promote bleeding
- Do NOT put heat or warm compression on you cheek or chin area, at the side of extraction
- If you have had a surgical extraction you will find there are sutures in your mouth. Based on the instructions by your dentist, you may need to visit your dentist after a week for suture removal.
- Avoid brushing your teeth in the area of surgery until the bleeding has stopped entirely. After this, you may brush your teeth gently. Be extremely careful not to disturb the area of surgery. A clean mouth will heal faster