Instructions Following an Extraction

  1. Bite on the gauze pack in your mouth for one hour.
  2. Do not spit until the following day. If necessary, hold a piece of tissue on the side of your mouth and let the saliva drain onto the tissue.
  3. Do not rinse out your mouth with anything for 24 hours. The next day you can rinse with warm salt and water.
  4. Do not brush your teeth until the following day.
  5.  Do not disturb the area where the extraction was done by sucking or playing around the area with your tongue.
  6. Do not drink alcoholic beverages on the day or night of the extraction.
  7. We strongly advise that you do not smoke 24 hours after the extraction.
  8. Do not drink from a straw following the extraction, drink from a cup.
* Following the above instruction will ensure that the blood clot is not dislodged from the socket. If the blood clot dislodges, you can develop a dry socket which is very painful and will need to be treated by our office.
  1. If bleeding persists after one hour following the extraction, bite down on a wet teabag.  If this does not stop the bleeding please call us or return to the office.
  2. It is important to eat adequately following the extraction soft foods or liquid nutrition drinks are recommended.
  3. If the extraction procedure was a lengthy the degree of swelling can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the side of the face where you had the extraction. Do not place the pack continuously, Example 30 minute on 15 minutes off. After 24 hours heat can be used if necessary a warm pack or a warm towel placed on the side of the face.
  4. You will be given a prescription after the procedure. Please have it filled as soon a possible and take the medicine as directed.

If there are any complications or concerns please feel free to contact our office for assistance.