Reuther Family Dental
Care & recovery
Help the blood clot form
- Apply gentle pressure with gauze. Use the gauze we sent home with you and keep it in for 15–20 minutes per pack.
- Fold gauze in half twice to make a thick enough pack to apply pressure.
- Dampen the gauze before you place it. Otherwise, the clot may stick to the gauze and come out when you remove it.
For the first day or two
- Do not smoke for 3 days.
- Do not use a straw to drink fluids.
- Do not rinse with mouthwash or spit for 24 hours.
- Do not drink acidic or carbonated beverages.
- Do not work out too vigorously. This is not the day to run a marathon; use this as your excuse to relax for a day or two.
- Do not place your tongue or fingers into the extraction site.
- Keep up oral hygiene, but be gentle at the extraction site.
- Keep your diet soft, room temperature or cooler, and mild. Avoid acidic or spicy foods.
What to expect
- You may ooze for up to 24 hours. That is normal. If bleeding persists, moisten a tea bag and bite down on it for 20 minutes.
- If you experience swelling, place ice packs on your face near where the tooth was removed for 10 minutes at a time. Swelling and bruising may get worse for up to 3 days after surgery.
- If stitches were placed, they will dissolve in 2–5 days.
When to call
Call the office if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, or continued swelling after 3 days. Dr. Katie monitors voicemail messages after hours.