After Removal of Teeth

Home Instructions After the Removal of Multiple TEETH

Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following tooth extractions. Slight bleeding, oozing or red tinged saliva is not uncommon. To control bleeding apply continuous pressure for 30-45 minutes after surgery, and refrain from spitting, rinsing or eating until bleeding begins to slow or stop. You will be given extra gauze which should be replaced every 30-45 minutes for the first 3-4 hours after surgery. If you have bleeding beyond 5 hours bite firmly on the gauze for 30 minutes followed by biting down on a wet black tea bag for an additional 30 minutes. If continued or excessive bleeding (blood which fills your mouth in 20-30 seconds) occurs please contact the office or doctor.

SWELLING

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice pack 15 minutes on and 10 minutes off during the first 6-8 hours after surgery. However, the benefits of reducing swelling with ice are limited to the first 24 hours after surgery. If significant swelling is still present or increasing at post-operative day 5 call the office for instructions. 

DIET

The day of your surgery you may drink cold liquids and eat cold soft food (ice cream, jello, pudding, applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese). The following day you may transition to warm soft foods (eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, well cooked pasta). Refrain from eating crunchy, sticky or chewy food (chips, pretzels, popcorn, candy, caramels) for the first 14 days after surgery.

HYGIENE

You should refrain from rinsing, spitting, brushing of your mouth or remaining teeth the day of your surgery. 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 become lodge in the operated area (one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water). You should also begin to brush any remaining teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush morning and night. If you were given Peridex mouthwash you will begin the day after surgery rinsing/expelling for 30 seconds morning and night until complete. Do not use any OTC mouthwash until 10 days after surgery.

PAIN

You should begin taking pain medication shortly after your procedure prior to the local anesthetic wearing off. As with any surgical procedure, some post-operative discomfort is to be expected. OTC pain medication recommended by the doctor is to be taken exactly as directed. For Mild to Moderate pain, take either one to two tablets of extra strength 500mg Tylenol (acetaminophen) or three to four tablets of 200mg Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) every 6-8 hours not to exceed either 3200mg ibuprofen or 4000mg acetaminophen in a 24 hour period. For Moderate to Severe pain, take acetaminophen and ibuprofen in combination as followed: 600mg ibuprofen -3hrs- 1000mg acetaminophen -3hrs- 600mg ibuprofen -3hrs- 1000mg acetaminophen continued until pain is controlled at which time you may decrease frequency and dosage.  For Severe pain, the prescribed medication (often narcotic) should be taken as directed and usually will be alternated with ibuprofen,  DO NOT TAKE OTC ACETAMINOPHEN ALONG WITH ANY PRESCRIBED NARCOTIC. 

You may have been prescribed a prescription dose of ibuprofen called Motrin 800mg in which case do not take any additional OTC ibuprofen. 

Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor to not take them. Do not drink alcohol, drive an automobile or operate any machinery while taking narcotics. Pain or discomfort should subdue more and more each day, if pain persists or is increasing in nature past post-operative day 6, please contact our office.

If you have any questions about the types of or frequency in which to take pain medication please contact the office Peoria Oral & Implant Surgery Phone Number 623-230-2297 or doctor after hours 720-470-1092. 

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:

• 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 2-3 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 24-48 hours. If your temperature continues to rise, notify our office.
• As with any oral surgery procedure smoking of any kind (tobacco, marijuana, vape pens) should be stopped for 7 days after surgery to minimize delayed healing and pain caused by smoking.
• If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In some cases, your dentist will see you 24-48 hours after surgery to make necessary adjustments and relieve the denture in those areas. Failure to have denture adjustments may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong healing
• You may notice loose particles of bone coming through your tissues up to 3 months after surgery. With multiple teeth extraction there is microscopic fractures of surrounding tooth socket/bone as your body heals these small pieces of bone will be pushed out much like a sliver in your finger.

If you have any concerns relating to your healing please call the office Peoria Oral & Implant Surgery Phone Number 623-230-2297 or Dr. Pollaccia after hours 720-470-1092.