Aftercare Following Your Tooth Extraction

Your dentist will provide you with a set of aftercare instructions after tooth extraction.

Usually a dentist's instructions will include directions pertaining to the topics found on this page.

At our Orange County dental office, we will provide the patient with a detailed set of instructions to follow to promote faster.

This is a short version but will give you some guidelines to follow in case you cannot reach your dentist.

• No smoking for 24 hours following the extraction
• No alcohol for 24 hours following the extraction
• No strenuous activity for 24 hours following the extraction
• No hot foods for 24 hours following the extraction
• No drinking through a straw or anything that may cause a vacuum in the mouth since it will displace the blood clot and induce bleeding
• The bleeding may sometimes continue for several hours following the extraction.
• One of the proven methods to stop bleeding is to bite on a moist tea bag for 5 minutes and that generally stops the bleeding.
• Aspirin and Motrin also prolong bleeding times so you may want to avoid taking any of those medications after the extraction.
• You can use Tylenol instead.

Make sure to call your local Orange County dentist if there is significant swelling, bleeding or pain.

Be sure to ask for an afterhours number before you leave the office.

Posted on May 18, 2010 1:52 PM | Permalink