Post Extraction Instructions

* If you are too busy please read the text in bold and italics.

Bite firmly on the gauze placed over the wound for 30 minutes. After this time, discard the gauze. A small amount of bleeding will occur for the next 24 hours which is considered normal. After discarding the gauze eat plain ice cream (unless diabetic).
Do not spit and drink through a straw, for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Swallow any blood or saliva that accumulates in your mouth.
Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the procedure. After this time, you can rinse softly with warm salt water 4 times a day for the rest of the week.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, please complete the dose. Take the first dose of the painkiller 1 hour after completion of the procedure before the numbness wears off and continue to take it every 6 hours for 4 days. To prevent stomach related problems, eat a light meal before taking these medicines.
After a surgical procedure, some amount of swelling is normal and expected. The swelling will be the most on the day after the procedure. This will subside in on its own in 3-4 days. Apply ice to the area from outside on the day of surgery. This should last for 10-15 minutes at a time, and be repeated every 30 minutes for at least 4-6 hours. Sleep with your head elevated (2 pillows) the first 2 days, normal elevation after that.
Do not apply heat or any balm or ointment that produces heat.
Eat cold, soft and non-spicy foods from the opposite side for a week. Avoid hard, spicy and hot foods.
The teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush and flossed, but you should avoid the area of surgery for a week. You can massage the area gently with a clean finger.
Do not smoke/drink for a week. If you do the risk of wound infection increases several times.
Do mouth opening exercise from today and continue it for the rest of the week.
If stitches were placed on the wound, you must have them removed in a week.
You should take rest on the day of surgery and tomorrow. Normal activity can be resumed from the day after tomorrow.

IF YOU WERE INFORMED THAT A SINUS COMMUNICATION OCCURRED DURING SURGERY, as a result of the close relationship between the roots of your upper teeth and your sinuses, or if you have had some surgery that involved work near your sinuses or in your sinuses, please follow these instructions:

- DO NOT blow your nose.

- DO NOT sneeze through your nose. If the urge to sneeze arises, sneeze with your mouth open.

- AVOID swimming and strenuous exercise for at least one week.

- - It is not uncommon to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose for several days.
- Please remember that occasionally a second procedure may be required if there is a persistent sinus communication.

Courtesy–

Bite firmly on the gauze placed over the wound for 30 minutes. After this time, discard the gauze. A small amount of bleeding will occur for the next 24 hours which is considered normal. After discarding the gauze eat plain ice cream (unless diabetic).

Do not spit and drink through a straw, for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Swallow any blood or saliva that accumulates in your mouth.

Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after the procedure. After this time, you can rinse softly with warm salt water 4 times a day for the rest of the week.

Do not apply heat or any balm or ointment that produces heat.

Eat cold, soft and non-spicy foods from the opposite side for a week. Avoid hard, spicy and hot foods.

The teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush and flossed, but you should avoid the area of surgery for a week. You can massage the area gently with a clean finger.

Do not smoke/drink for a week. If you do the risk of wound infection increases several times.

Do mouth opening exercise from today and continue it for the rest of the week.

If stitches were placed on the wound, you must have them removed in a week.

You should take rest on the day of surgery and tomorrow. Normal activity can be resumed from the day after tomorrow.

IF YOU WERE INFORMED THAT A SINUS COMMUNICATION OCCURRED DURING SURGERY, as a result of the close relationship between the roots of your upper teeth and your sinuses, or if you have had some surgery that involved work near your sinuses or in your sinuses, please follow these instructions:

DO NOT blow your nose.

DO NOT sneeze through your nose. If the urge to sneeze arises, sneeze with your mouth open.

AVOID swimming and strenuous exercise for at least one week.

It is not uncommon to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose for several days.

Please remember that occasionally a second procedure may be required if there is a persistent sinus communication.

Dr. Sudhir Jagannathan

M.D.S (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon)