Care instructions for a patient after tooth extraction

Once the tooth has been pulled, a blood clot usually forms in the socket. An adequate blood clot – is a precondition for a fast, painless and successful healing of the socket. Therefore, patients are recommended to observe the precaution measures in order to avoid the situation where a blood clot falls out of the socket. For this purpose, follow strictly the below recommendations:

• Once a tooth has been pulled, it is recommended non to talk and keep mouth shut for 15-20 minutes to let an adequate blood clot form in the socket.
• Spit out the gauze pad, placed by your doctor into the socket after tooth extraction, 20 minutes later. Abstain from eating until the anaesthesia wears off.
• During first 3 days after tooth extraction do not rinse the mouth and avoid spitting forcefully, since such effort creates vacuum in the mouth that may remove the blood clot.
• Antiseptic washing 4-5 times a day better to be done with 0,05% solution of chlorohexidine starting from the third day after extraction. Keep the solution in the mouth each time for about 1 minute. Alternatively, you can do the washing with warm herbal brew (salvia, camomile).
• Avoid eating hot food and fermented milk products during first 3 days.
• Limit activity, requiring physical efforts, for 5-7 days.
• It is strictly forbidden to heat and apply moist pads to the extraction site.
• Refrain from visiting a bathhouse, sauna, gym, pool and solarium for 5 days. Thermal procedures dilate blood vessels and can cause bleeding from the socket. For the same reason, it is not recommended to sleep and put a palm on the cheek on the side of tooth extraction.
• In cases where tooth extraction was complicated, eat liquid and soft food in the next 24 hours. Chew food on the side opposite to extraction site.
• During 2 days after tooth extraction, you should refrain from smoking and alcohol. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, do not drink alcohol all the days of antibiotic therapy.
• Continue brushing your teeth with a soft brush, including the extraction site, searching not to injure the socket. The more carefully you observe hygiene of the extraction site, the faster it heals. Gently rinse your mouth with chilled boiled water to remove food residues after each meal. Do not try to clean the socket with toothpicks or matches!

NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT SHOULD NOT CAUSE YOUR ANXIETY:

• During first hours after tooth extraction the gum may be painful and swollen. Ice bag, applied to the cheek, removes well the swelling and decreases pains.
• A swelling may develop. A maximum size of swelling may develop on the third day after extraction. Bruises may appear. Swelling and bruises will go away on their own.
• The pains are normal after any surgery, it is necessary to use painkillers as prescribed by the doctor, 1-1.5 hours after tooth extraction for the first time and every 4-6 hours afterwards.
• Slight bleeding is normal during the first hours after surgery; saliva may have pinkish colour for several days onwards. Bleeding can last longer if you take blood thinners, took an aspirin during the previous week, or if you have a high blood pressure. Consult your doctor if severe bleeding continues all the first day, or you still have bleeding on the second day.
• The corners of the mouth may become dry and crack. Moisturize them with an ointment. Herpes exacerbation is possible. The throat may slightly hurt, and the temperature may rise.
• You cannot open your mouth wide for three days after tooth extraction.

SYMPTOMS OF COMPLICATIONS IN THE EARLY POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD WHEN YOU URGENTLY NEED TO CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR:

• Strong and prolonged pain not relieved by painkillers.
• Bleeding lasting more than 12 hours, severe bleeding in the first 12 hours with a large amount of scarlet blood.
• Numbness of the upper and lower jaws, lasting for more than 2 days after the operation.
• Severe swelling that complicates swallowing and opening the mouth.
• Body temperature exceeding 38 С0.