Tooth extractions can be either simple or complex, with complex tooth extractions needing oral surgery and simple cases requiring only the use of forceps in the office. Regardless of whether you’ve needed an emergency extraction or scheduled a surgical tooth removal, the guide below can help you remember all of the tooth extraction post-op details for a smooth, healthy, and low pain recovery.
Day 1: Tooth Extraction Post-op Care
- Continue to bite on gauze for the first one to two hours. If the gauze becomes soaked please change it with fresh gauze.
- Take 600mg of ibuprofen when you get home. This will help to reduce both pain and swelling. Maintain a regimen of ibuprofen every 8 hours for the first three days.
- Fill any prescriptions given to you by your doctor.
- Take it easy for the first 48 hours after your extractions. Do not lift weights or exert yourself excessively.
- Avoid the extraction area while brushing
- Avoid smoking, drinking straws, spicy foods, and foods with small nuts or seeds.
Day 2: Begin Rinsing and Brushing
- Continue to take pain medication. If your pain exceeds the control of the medication you are taking you can take a dose of 1000mg of acetaminophen between your doses of ibuprofen.
- Start rinsing your mouth with salt water after eating and before bed. To make a salt water rinse add 1 teaspoon of salt to 16 ounces of warm water.
- Start to brush around the area gently.
- You may notice some swelling or redness of the area. This is normal.
Day 3: Monitor Pain Closely
- Your third day may have the highest amount of pain and swelling. It should subside tomorrow.
- If you have excessive or increasing pain after day 3 you may be experiencing a dry socket (socket that is not healing appropriately.) Call your doctor to be seen for a post-operative exam.
- If you have been prescribed an antibiotic please make sure to take the antibiotic as prescribed and finish the entire prescription. If you do not finish your antibiotic you could end up with an infection that is worse and harder to treat.
If you have further questions or concerns about a tooth extraction please contact Cedarwood Dentistry. Our team focuses on cultivating dental health through personalized care, and we are happy to see you for any post-operative assistance, even if we did not extract your tooth.