Extractions
You may experience minor bleeding during the first 24 hours after surgery. If heavier bleeding occurs:
- Place gauze or a wet tea bag over the surgery site
- Bite down firmly but gently on the gauze or tea bag for at least 30 minutes. Do not chew on it
- If the bleeding continues, call us to schedule an emergency appointment
- Do not suck on the affected area or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours
Rinsing
- Do not spit or rinse the affected area on the day of your surgery
- On the day after surgery, you may gently rinse the area with warm salt water
- Brush your teeth and tongue as normal after the surgery, but be very gentle around the surgical site
Eating
Start with liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following your surgery. If the area feels better, move on to your normal diet, but be careful not to chew hard foods near the affected area.
Pain & Swelling
You may experience some pain and swelling. To reduce it, place ice on your face over the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours. Do not ice it after the first 36 hours.
If you still feel pain or discomfort, take Advil or Tylenol according to directions. If the problem persists, please contact us to schedule an emergency appointment.