After dental extractions, it’s essential to follow these guidelines to ensure optimal healing:

• Manage Bleeding: Apply pressure to the surgical area with a gauze pad and bite down until the bleeding stops. It’s normal to expect slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in saliva.
• Pain Management: Take prescribed pain medication as directed. Avoid driving or operating machinery if feeling groggy from the medication.
• Antibiotics: Take any prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
• Reduce Swelling: Apply a cold compress to the face near the extraction site for the first 36 hours. After that, switch to moist heat to help reduce swelling.
• Dietary Restrictions: Avoid using straws, brushing, rinsing, smoking, hot or spicy foods, carbonated beverages, and alcohol for 24 hours post-surgery. Stick to liquids and soft foods for the first few days.
• Activity Restrictions: Rest on the day of surgery and gradually resume normal activities the following day.
• Oral Hygiene: After the first day, rinse gently with warm salt water three times a day.
• Suture Care: If sutures are necessary, follow up with our office for removal within one week post-surgery. Contact us with any questions or concerns about your healing or the type of sutures used.
• Supervise Children: Ensure that children do not bite their tongues or lips after extractions to prevent injury.

If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or swelling, or have any other questions or concerns, please contact our office. In case of an emergency, call us; for serious emergencies, dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.