Having a tooth removed, whether it’s a wisdom tooth or another tooth causing issues, is a common dental procedure. Here at El Paso Dentist, our primary goal is to ensure your recovery is as comfortable and quick as possible. Now that your surgery is finished, the most important part of your healing journey begins at home.
Following your post-operative instructions is the single best thing you can do to prevent complications, manage discomfort, and get back to feeling like yourself. We’ve created this detailed guide to walk you through the essential steps for at-home care after your extraction.
The First 24-48 Hours: Your Top Priorities
The first two days after your procedure are the most critical for healing. During this time, your main goals are to control bleeding, manage swelling, and protect the blood clot forming in the extraction socket. This clot is like a natural bandage, and it is vital for proper healing. Losing it can lead to a painful condition known as dry socket.
Caring for the Surgical Site
Your immediate focus should be on the extraction area.
- Bite on Gauze: We sent you home with gauze placed over the surgical site. Bite down with firm, consistent pressure for about 30 minutes. This pressure helps stop the bleeding so a clot can form.
- If Bleeding Persists: Should the bleeding continue after the first 30 minutes, replace the damp gauze with a fresh, folded piece and continue to apply pressure. It is more effective to apply steady pressure for a longer duration than to change the gauze frequently.
- Normal Oozing: It is completely normal to see slight bleeding or a pinkish ooze from the site for the first day or two. To protect your pillows, you may want to use an old pillowcase or place a towel over your pillow before sleeping.
Managing Swelling and Discomfort
Swelling is a natural response to surgery and typically reaches its peak within 48 to 72 hours before it starts to go down.
- Use Ice Packs: On the day of your surgery, apply ice packs to the side of your face over the extraction area. A good routine is 20 minutes on, followed by 20 minutes off. This helps minimize swelling and can provide a numbing effect for pain relief.
Activities to Avoid to Protect the Healing Site
To protect the delicate blood clot and ensure a smooth recovery, there are several key activities you must avoid.
- No Smoking or Tobacco: Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco products for at least 48 hours. The chemicals in tobacco can hinder the healing process, and the suction created when smoking can easily dislodge the blood clot.
- No Alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours. Alcohol can interfere with your pain medication, thin your blood, and increase bleeding.
- No Spitting or Sucking: For at least 24 hours, you must avoid spitting, vigorous rinsing or swishing, and using a straw. These actions create negative pressure in your mouth that can pull the blood clot from the socket.
Rest, Recovery, and Medications
Your body needs energy to heal, so it is important to take it easy.
Activity Level
- Go Straight Home to Rest: After your surgery, go directly home and plan on resting for the remainder of the day. If possible, avoid taking stairs by yourself immediately following the procedure.
- Limit Strenuous Activity: Do not engage in sports, aerobics, or any heavy lifting for at least three days. Raising your heart rate can increase bleeding and swelling at the surgical site.
Taking Your Medications
Please follow all medication instructions from your doctor precisely.
- Take as Directed: Take all prescribed medications as instructed. If you were given antibiotics, it is crucial to finish the entire prescription to prevent infection, even if you start to feel better.
- Caution with Pain Medication: If you have been prescribed narcotic pain medication, do not drive a car or operate any machinery while taking it. These medications can cause drowsiness and impair your reaction time.
- Prescribed Mouth Rinse: If you received a medicated mouth rinse, begin using it 24 hours after your surgery as directed. When you rinse, do so gently.
Your Diet During the First Week
Proper nutrition is essential for healing, but you will need to stick to certain foods to avoid harming the extraction site.
Soft Diet for the First 24-48 Hours
Initially, your jaw will be sore, and chewing will be difficult. Stick to a soft diet.
- Good Food Choices: Soft pastas, mashed potatoes, lukewarm soups, scrambled eggs, yogurt, pudding, milkshakes (eaten with a spoon), and seedless smoothies are all great options.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
For the first week, stay away from foods that can irritate the healing socket.
- No Straws: Remember, do not drink through a straw.
- Avoid Small, Hard, or Sharp Foods: Items like popcorn, nuts, chips, and fruits with small seeds (like strawberries) can get stuck in the socket and lead to infection or inflammation.
- Avoid Irritants: Carbonated drinks and acidic foods (such as oranges, tomatoes, and tomato sauces) can irritate the sensitive, healing tissues.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids, like water, to stay hydrated.
When to Call El Paso Dentist
While some discomfort is a normal part of recovery, certain symptoms may indicate a problem. Please contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following:
- A fever with a temperature higher than 101.5°F.
- Pain that gets worse instead of better, or pain that does not respond to your medication.
- Bleeding or swelling that is more severe than what your doctor told you to expect.
Your health and comfort are our highest priorities. By carefully following these instructions, you are taking the best possible care of yourself and paving the way for a successful recovery. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to support you.
