I just had an extraction…….. Now what???
Frequently asked questions-
What can I eat and when???
More than likely you will be numb for about an hour and a half unless your dentist told you otherwise. During this time it is important that you minimize eating and drinking as it will be very easy for you to bite your lip, tongue or cheek without realizing it. Additionally, eating and drinking can disturb the newly formed blood clot and any stitches placed by your dentist.
After you are no longer numb there are several types of food and drink to avoid. Please refrain from eating anything too spicy as it aggravates the healing process. Items such as chips, pretzels and crunchy tacos are also not advised. Drinks for the first 24 hours should not contain alcohol or caffeine.
Okay so what CAN I eat!!??
We at Sandalwood dental recommend soft foods such as mashed potatoes, pudding, soup, ice cream, smoothies (without seeds) and most pasta. Nutrition drinks such as Ensure and Boost are a good source of vitamins and work nicely, but please do not use a straw when you drink.
What activities should I avoid?? Anything physically demanding is not advised for the first 48 hours as it places unnecessary strain on the body and the healing process. activities such as lifting weights and contact sports are inappropriate. Please minimize opening your mouth wide as you could tear any stitches. Do not use a straw
Smoking--- Cigarettes and cigars interfere with your bodies ability to heal by filling your mouth with harmful chemicals. Smoking also increases the negative pressure in your mouth which can dislodge the clot forming in the site of the extraction. If you lose your clot, you may get a dry socket which is in some cases as painful as kidney stones and childbirth. Smoking is the number one cause of dry socket.
More on Dry Socket- even if you do not smoke, there is still a risk for dry socket. A dry socket is where the body does not clot properly or loses the initial clot and the result is exposed bone. One in every twelve extractions will result in a dry socket and the most common extraction is wisdom teeth, normally in the bottom jaw.
How do I know if I have a dry socket??
In most cases of dry socket you will feel okay for a few days before having a sudden onset of pain around the third day. You may have an increase in swelling as well. If you feel this is the case, please call the office to schedule a follow-up visit. Treatment involves cleaning out the wound and placement of a small, medicated sponge in the socket to encourage the body to reform a clot.
Pain and swelling: Depending upon the complexity of your extraction, the amount of pain you can expect to have over the next few days will vary. If you extraction involved a drill to section the tooth or remove any bone, more pain is to be anticipated.
Bleeding: You will leave the office with guaze placed in the extraction site and some additional gauze to take home with you. Leaving the gauze in place for at least twenty minutes is critical to stop any bleeding. After 20 minutes you may change out the soiled gauze with new gauze. The key to proper clotting is pressure. Talking, chewing ore premature removal of the gauze can lead to prolonged bleeding. In some cases the site may continue to weep small amounts of blood for several hours. If you do not have any gauze, a wet tea bag can be placed on the site to stop any bleeding. If after several hours you still have blood filling your mouth, please contact the dental office. Remember pressure is the key.
Medication: your dentist may have given you prescription pain reliever, antibiotics or both. Please fill these prescriptions as soon as you leave the office and begin taking them once you have arrived at home. Antibiotics are to be taken according to the instructions until they are gone whereas pain reliever should be taken only as needed. You should avoid driving as much as possible while taking the pain reliever as it can cause dizziness. If you finish your prescribed pain medication and continue to have pain that cannot be alleviated by over the counter medications, please contact the office as you may not be healing properly.
Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, feel free to rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water twice a day starting the day after your extraction. This will help minimize swelling and may speed the healing process.
When in doubt-- call the office; we will be glad to help.
