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A gauze pack is placed over the area where the tooth was extracted in order to limit bleeding. By placing pressure on the site(s), the gauze protects the area while a blood clot is forming. Expect a red tinge in your saliva for a day. After 2 hours, please remove the gauze. If any active bleeding persists or later develops, please call our office at (978) 682-5255. What is active bleeding? Active bleeding is when blood pools excessively around the extraction site OR the gauze is still completely saturating up with blood.
Please refer to the back of this booklet to see what medications have been recommended for you to take. These may be a written prescription or an over the counter medication. It is important to carefully read the directions on the bottle for proper dosage and directions.
Swelling may not occur until the day following your surgery. It is still very important to keep your head elevated and to start icing immediately following your surgery to help decrease your swelling and pain. Swelling usually peaks approximately 48-72 hours following surgery and then gradually decreases. We recommend applying ice to the outside of your face at the surgery site 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the hours you are awake. After 48 hours of ice, we recommend you switch to moist heat. Ice is used initially to limit swelling and the heat will then help to decrease what swelling has already occurred. Moist heat should be applied in the same fashion as ice, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the hours you are awake.
24 hours after your procedure you may begin to feel your stitches loosening or falling out, this is normal! In most cases, sutures are dissolvable and will begin to completely dissolve in about 5-7 days.
The day AFTER your surgery, you will begin to gently rinse after meals and at bedtime with warm salt water (or the rinse prescribed). Use a soft bristled toothbrush so that the gum tissue in your mouth is not inadvertently injured. Brush vertically downward on the upper teeth and upward on the lower teeth; do not brush across extraction sites horizontally.
Nausea is not uncommon after having IV anesthesia. In the event of nausea and/or vomiting do not take any medication by mouth for at least 1 hour, including your prescribed medication. We suggest sipping slowly on water, Coca Cola or ginger ale over a 15-minute period of time. When nausea subsides, you can begin solid foods and prescribed medications. If it does not subside, please contact our office at (978) 682-5255.
When you leave our office following your surgery, your mouth will be numb from the local anesthesia. The numbness can last for up to 6-8 hours after the procedure. Avoid hot foods and beverages until the numbness wears off. Try not to eat anything that requires too much chewing. This could cause you to bite your lip, cheek or tongue inadvertently.
After your surgery, drink plenty of fluids (thick liquids) and eat soft foods such as: mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, Jell-O, ice cream, soups, eggs, pancakes or overcooked pasta. These are only some examples of foods that you may eat. Please let any hot food or drink come to room temperature, things that are too hot can cause prolonged bleeding. Please also avoid alcoholic beverages