Post-Surgical Instructions

Avoid the 4 S’s

• Soda
• Sucking out of a Straw
• Spitting: If you feel that you need to spit, just open your mouth and let the fluid run out.
• Smoking
• These can all cause the blood clot to come out. If the blood clot is lost, it can cause a dry socket, which can be very uncomfortable

Brushing & Rinsing: You should avoid brushing and rinsing on the same day as your surgery. You may begin again tomorrow; rinsing should be very gentle. 24 hours following the procedure, you can gently rinse with mouthwash or a warm salt water solution. You should do this 2-3 times each day for the first week post-extraction.

If antibiotics were prescribed continue taking them for the entire course of the indicated time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. If you are taking birth control pills, you may need to supplement your pills with some other method due to interaction with the antibiotic.

Eating & Drinking: You can eat after your surgery, but limit your diet to soft foods for a day or so post-extraction. (Some examples may include yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes, etc.) You will need to be additionally cautious for a few hours following the surgery due to your lips and cheeks feeling numb. Keep in mind you will need to drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.

Gauze: Please keep gauze on the extraction site for the remainder of the day, except when you eat or sleep. Please try to keep the gauze that Is currently on the site at least until you get home. When replacing the gauze, fold the 4” cotton squares into quarters. It should be damp, but not soaked.

Pain: If not prescribed a pain medication, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or Tylenol is usually sufficient. You can also reduce pain and swelling by applying an ice pack (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off)—for the first six hours following the extraction.

If you have any problems: please give our office a call (302)-741-2044.