Post Surgical Instructions

Post-Operative Instructions

Our goal is for your healing process after an extraction to be as comfortable as possible. The removal of teeth is a surgical procedure, and post-operative care is imperative. Please follow all instructions carefully to avoid any unnecessary pain and possible infection.

If you have any difficulties or concerns following your surgery, please do not hesitate to call us or return to our office for a follow-up exam.

Immediately after the Surgery (First 24 Hours)

Keep the gauze pad placed over the surgical area with pressure for half an hour after the surgery.
Do not rinse your mouth or spit.
It is advisable to eat only soft and cold food for the first 24 hrs following surgery. After which normal diet can be resumed.
While sleeping at night, keep your head slightly elevated using some extra pillows under your head.

After 24 Hours Post-Surgery

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every 4 hours and after meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the area. This is extremely important.

Bleeding– A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following a surgical procedure. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Bleeding is best controlled by the use of pressure. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary

Swelling– Some swelling depending on the type of surgery is normal post-operatively. This swelling begins to regress within a day or two of the surgery.

Sutures– If any sutures were required, you need to return to the office for sutures to be removed after 7 days post surgery.