Many dental procedures require patients to follow detailed aftercare instructions. Dr. Cochran understands that sometimes, having a complex dental treatment completed takes a toll on our energy. There is a lot to take in after your treatment has been completed, so it is natural to forget all of the finer details on how to care for your mouth after a procedure.
The following aftercare instructions are general guidelines for you to refer to if you need assistance with your aftercare routine.
Control the Bleeding – You will leave our office with a piece of surgical gauze in the area of your extraction, and a package of gauze for you to take home with you. This gauze is used to control the bleeding after your extraction.
You should try to bite down on the gauze for 30 minutes at a time, changing the gauze in 30 minute intervals. The bleeding should begin to slow after approximately one hour. If the area is bleeding heavily, please contact our office.
Be Aware of the Numb Tissues – You may remain numb for several hours after your extraction. Try to avoid biting on your lip or tongue while they are numb. Avoid poking the areas where you are numb because you may injure yourself and not realize it until the freezing goes away.
Also avoid drinking hot liquids or eating hot food until the freezing goes away. It is possible to burn yourself and not realize it because your tissues are numb.
Eat Soft Foods – You should try to eat a diet that consists of soft foods, as they are gentle on the area surrounding the extraction. Do not use a straw to drink liquids for at least one week. Drinking from a straw will cause the blood clot to dislodge from the tooth socket, causing a painful infection called a dry socket. If you suspect that the blood clot has dislodged, contact our office immediately.
Clean the Area Carefully – Cleaning your mouth after an extraction is very important step in the healing process. You should avoid rinsing and spitting for the first 24 hours after your extraction to avoid dislodging the blood clot. After 24 hours , rinse with a warm saltwater solution. saltwater is a natural disinfectant that helps to clean the mouth and speed up the healing process. Dr.Cochran may prescribe a medicated rinse for you to use after your extraction.
Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol – Smoking should be avoided for at least 24 hours after the extraction. Smoking can cause a dry socket and will also irritate the delicate tissues in the mouth. Alcohol should also be avoided for 24 hours as it may interfere with the healing process.
Finish all Prescribed Medication – If Dr. Cochran prescribes medications such as an antibiotic, make sure you follow the instruction carefully and finish the medication if instructed to do so.
Take Care of Any Stitches – It may be necessary for Dr. Cochran to place stitches where the tooth was extracted. There are two types of stitches- synthetic or silk stitches and dissolvable stitches. If your stitches are dissolvable, they will go away in about one to two weeks. If you have synthetic or silk stitches, you will have an appointment to have the stitches removed in approximately one week. If the stitches are bother our gum tissue or tongue, contact our office.
We are here to help you heal after your appointment and want to make sure you are at ease until you heal from your extractions.