A gauze pack has been placed in your mouth at the surgery site. Bite firmly on the gauze for at least two hours, changing it every 60 minutes. If bleeding starts again, place a folded wet tea bag over the area and bite firmly until it stops. A slight amount of oozing is normal for the first couple of days.

You've been given a prescription for pain medication. Begin taking it 4 hours after leaving our office. Pain medication is best taken with milk or light food to reduce stomach irritation. If your stomach is empty, drinking 10 oz. of water quickly with the medication can help.

Some swelling is expected. Apply an ice bag (wrapped in a towel) or cold towel to your cheek or jaw: 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. After 24 hours, if swelling or jaw stiffness persists, switch to a warm moist towel on the outside of your face.

Starting 72 hours (3 days) after surgery, rinse with chlorhexidine oral rinse as prescribed. Rinse at least two times a day for two weeks. Do not rinse aggressively in the first 72 hours as this can disturb the clot.

Stick to soft foods for the first week: protein shakes, blended vegetables, milk shakes, ice cream, yogurt, soups, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and juices are all fine. Do not use a straw for the first 48 hours. Do not skip meals as proper nutrition supports healing.

For a single tooth, take it easy for a few hours. If several teeth were removed, plan to rest for one to two days. Keep your head elevated while resting or sleeping using a couple of pillows. Cover your pillows with an old towel to prevent staining.

Postoperative nausea can be caused by pain medication, swallowing small amounts of blood, or anxiety. Always take pain medication with food or milk. Try sipping a cold, carbonated drink or sucking on ice chips to settle your stomach. If nausea and vomiting persist, call our office.

Do not smoke for at least 72 hours following tooth extractions. Smoking significantly delays healing and can lead to the development of dry sockets, which are painful and difficult to treat.

Dry sockets are an uncommon postoperative complication. They typically occur three to five days after extraction and are characterized by a bad taste and severe throbbing pain that isn't well controlled by pain medication. If this happens, call our office right away. Antibiotics do not cure dry sockets.