Tooth Extractions

Bleeding: Bite on gauze with moderate pressure for twenty minutes. Remove the gauze and look to see if there is blood coming from the extraction site. Note, the top of the site will look red and there may be a pink tint to the saliva, this is normal. If the extraction site is actually bleeding, replace the gauze for another twenty minutes. To do this, fold the gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on. Place the gauze over the extraction site and bite with moderate pressure. Repeat as necessary. The more active you are, the longer it will take for the bleeding to stop.

Pain: Often you will experience mild discomfort and no pain medication is necessary. If pain medication is needed, what you would take for a headache should be sufficient. If the pain is significant, you can combine acetaminophen with an anti-inflammatory medication. They relieve pain differently and together can provide extra pain relief. If the pain is severe, a prescription analgesic may be necessary. Please call our dental office in Westford. Before taking any medication, make sure you are not allergic to the medication and that the medication is compatible with other medications you are taking and with any medical conditions present.

Home Care: On day one gently brush your teeth and very gently expectorate the toothpaste and rinse with water. During the next three days (not the first day), gently swish warm water across the extraction site and gently expectorate.

Protecting the Blood Clot: The blood clot is delicate, like a cork in a bottle. For four days after the extraction, avoid negative pressures like drinking through a straw, sucking, smoking and forcefully expectorating.

Eating: No significant precautions.

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