Following Oral Surgery, Dental Implants or Tooth Extractions
- Maintain biting pressure on the gauze in your mouth for 15 minutes, then discard it.
- We will give you a supply of gauze sponges before you leave the office.
- If the bleeding continues, place another bundle of gauze over the surgical area and continue with biting pressure for another 15 minutes.
- Continue biting with new gauze every 15 minutes until the bleeding has stopped.
- If the bleeding persists or increases, please call the office.
- Refrain from eating for 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off.
- When the numbness has worn off, you may eat soft foods such as yogurt, warm soup, ice cream or soft eggs for the first 48 hours.
- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery.
- 24 hours following the procedure, you can rinse your mouth with a warm salt water solution.
- (Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) Gently swish the salt water around the surgical area and spit. Rinsing should be continued for 3 to 4 times a day for one week following the surgery.
- Control swelling by applying ice packs to the area for periods of 15 minutes on and 5 minutes off. Continue with ice packs for 24 hours.
- Do not touch the extraction site with your tongue or fingers.
- Smoking should be avoided, as this will affect the healing process.
- Do not suck on a straw, as this may dislodge the clot.
- Relax. Avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery.
- Take pain medications as prescribed and instructed.
- Take antibiotics as prescribed and instructed.
Women taking birth control medications should be aware that antibiotics can make the birth control medications ineffective possibly resulting in pregnancy. Alternate methods of birth control should be used while on antibiotics.