How to stop bleeding
• Keep gauze placed in mouth for 1/2 an hour after you leave the surgery then discard it
gently.
• Some blood will ooze from the area of surgery for several hours and it is normal.
• Do not spit, or suck through a straw, this will promote bleeding.
• When bleeding persists at home, place a gauze pad or cold wet teabag over the area and
bite firmly for 30 minutes. If heavy bleeding consult our surgery.
• Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue.
• Keep your head elevated on several pillows when going to bed, use a soft towel to put
over your pillows in case of bleeding.
NO ALCOHOLIC or CARBONATED BEVERAGES for 24 hours after surgery.
DO NOT SMOKE for 24 hours after surgery because this will cause bleeding, pain and interfere
with healing.
Rinsing and Brushing
• Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for the first 12 hours after the surgical
appointment. Then use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup [4 ounces] of
warm water) after brushing teeth and every 2 hours.
• Brushing the teeth and mouthwash gently.
• Avoid the surgical site.
• Get plenty of rest, at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Avoid strenuous exercise
during the first 24 hours. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
What and When to Eat
• Use a liquid or soft food high in protein.
• Stay hydrated. Water is best.
• Do not drink through a straw because this may promote bleeding and a dry socket.
• Eat a soft diet for the first 24 hours after tooth extraction.
• Avoid foods that require excessive chewing.
• You can resume normal eating the day after tooth removal. Rinse mouth after eating.
Pain and Discomfort
• Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Taking the pain medication your dentist has
prescribed or recommended can control it.
• Start taking pain medication before the numbness medication has worn off and then
every four hours for 24 hours.
• Take your pain medication with a glass of water and/or a small amount of food to
prevent nausea.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications or Painkillers may be used for temporary pain
relief. Take these as directed on the package and around the clock. These being
Panadol, Panadeine or Nurofen
Dry Socket
• Dry socket occurs within 3 – 5 days after surgery when blood clot falls out of socket.
Without blood clot present, jaw bone is exposed to cold water and air, which is
extremely painful.
• Dry sockets cause radiating jaw pain up and down the face.
• Symptoms also include bad breath, bad taste in the mouth, headache, and earache (ear
pain).
• If you follow this instruction, you will minimize your chances of getting a dry socket.
Swelling and Icepacks
• Swelling after surgery is a normal body reaction.
• Swelling reaches its maximum about 48 hours after surgery, and usually lasts 4-6 days.
• Applying ice packs over the area for the first 24 hours (no longer than 20 minutes at a
time) helps control swelling.
• Heat is not used for swelling.
Bruising
• You may experience some mild bruising in the area of your surgery.
• This is a normal response in some persons and should not be cause for alarm. It will
disappear in 7-14 days.
Sutures or Stitches
• If stitches were placed in area of your surgery, your dentist will tell you if and when they
need to be removed (usually in about 1 week).
• In most cases, dissolving stitches are used and will dissolve (7-10 days) after placement
and do not require removal.
Call our practice if;
• You experience discomfort you cannot control with your pain pills.
• You have bleeding that you cannot control by biting on gauze.
• You have increased swelling after the third day following surgery.
• You have a fever.
• You notice bony edges or small, sharp bone fragments.
• You notice any symptoms of dry socket (infection).
• You notice stitches have come out within first couple of days.
• You have any questions
