The following recommendations are made for patients of Dr.’s Bruce, Ririe and Bruce. Please contact us if you have any questions following your procedure. If you are not a patient of our practice, please contact your dental provider for care instructions.
Post-Extraction Follow-up Care
- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the extraction. After 24 hours, rinse your mouth lightly with 8 oz. of warm water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Rinse every 3-4 hours for several days. This will help clean the extraction socket of food and plaque to help the tissue heal faster.
- After extractions it is advised not to drink through a straw, smoke or rinse vigorously for at least 24 hours. This can loosen the blood clot and cause a dry socket.
- Following extractions, some bleeding is expected. If bleeds persists, place a gauze pad over the bleeding area and bite down firmly for 1/2 hour. Repeat as necessary and contact us if bleeds cannot be controlled or gets worse.
- Swelling can also occur. Periodically place an ice bag or cold moist cloth over the operated area. 5 minutes on and 5 minutes off is a good period of time to ice, although it should not be uncomfortable.
- For mild to moderate pain, a non-aspirin over-the-counter medication is advisable. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen is advisable, unless you have used something else in the past. Be careful to use prescription medication according to the instructions.
- If, after time, bony edges work up through the gums, please contact us. These are usually small pieces of bone and can be removed or recontoured.
- Call our office if any unusual symptoms occur.
Dental Implant Follow-up Care
The day of surgery it is recommended to take some non-steroid analegsic, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Post-operative discomfort is usually very minimal and many patients do not need to take anything.
