Preparing for Tooth Extractions
Be well-prepared for a successful oral surgery recovery by doing a few simple things in advance.
Food and Drink
- Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to surgery.
- Stock up on smooth, pureed, and soft foods, such as apple sauce, Jell-O, yogurt, ice cream, and oatmeal to enjoy as you recover.
- Avoid straws when drinking after surgery. Using straws can dislodge the clot that covers your extractions site, resulting in a very painful condition called dry socket.
A Responsible Adult
- Line up someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
- Plan to have a companion stay for the duration of the surgery and then at home, available to help you when needed. Please inform your driver to not leave the office to run errands while you are in surgery.
Plan for Rest
- Be prepared to rest the remainder of the day.
- Resting is key to a successful recovery
After Multiple Extractions Surgery
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting blood vessels. If bleeding occurs, avoid hot liquids, exercise, and elevate the head. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately. Do not remove the immediate denture unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture. If the bleeding persists, remove the denture, and apply gauze pressure directly on the wound. Meanwhile, take the opportunity to clean the denture. Replace the denture into your mouth after the bleeding has stopped.
Swelling
Use ice packs (externally) on the cheek near the surgical site. Apply ice for the first 36 hours only. Apply ice continuously while you are awake.
Pain
For mild discomfort use aspirin, Tylenol, or any similar medication take two tablets every 3 to 4 hours. Two to three tablets of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be taken every 3 to 4 hours.
For severe pain, use the prescription given to you. If the pain does not begin to subside after 2 days, or increases after 2 days, please call our office. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, make sure to finish your prescription unless you have an allergic reaction.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. If many teeth have been extracted, the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day.
Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods that are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal, you will be able to resume your normal diet.
Rinsing
Do not rinse your mouth for the first post-operative day, or while there is bleeding. After the first day, use a warm salt water rinse every 4 hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated area. (One teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water.) After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out the denture and rinse 3 to 4 times a day.
Additional Info
The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different from the extraction of just one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
- The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in two days. Swelling and discoloration around the eyes may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate the discoloration. The towel should be applied continuously for as long as is tolerable, beginning 36 hours after surgery. (Remember: Ice packs are used for the first 36 hours only.)
- A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2 to 3 days.
- If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If your temperature continues to rise, notify our office.
If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24 to 48 hours after surgery to make the necessary adjustments and relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing process.