AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION – THE DO’s AND DON’TS

Immediately right after tooth extraction

1. The dentist will provide you a cotton gauze to bite on, exactly at the site of the tooth removed.
2. Apply firm biting pressure for 15 minutes and swallow any saliva to prevent early wetting of the cotton gauze.
3. After 15minutes, usually the active bleeding will stop as blood clot has formed. (unless you have underlying medical conditions necessitating further care, please consult your dentist or doctor.)
4. Drink cold/room temperature water and take a painkiller as prescribed by the dentist.

During the 3days after extraction 

• STRICTLY NO SMOKING
• DO NOT SPIT
• DO NOT GARGLE
• Soft diet and no hard food. Eat with the opposite side of the tooth extraction, eg. Right tooth removed? Chew with the left side.
• Toothbrushing: you may brush accordingly however be extra careful not to dislodge the blood clot. Do not spit forcefully after brushing.
• Do not invoke or disturb the wound site with tongue, toothbrush or finger.
• No usage of straw.

The DO’s

• Get enough rest.
• Let it clot. After the procedure, your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on near the extraction site. Try to bite down and make sure you don’t chew on gauze pieces. If the bleeding persists for a few hours after the procedure then try putting a wet black tea bag on the site. The tannic acid present in black tea helps to aid in the clotting process.
• Take your medicines as prescribed by dentist
• Ice packs: apply ice pack on the side of your face to reduce swelling. Application of ice pack most effective during the day of extraction. It should be applied 15minutes on and 15minutes off for 1-2hour time periods.
• Soft diets: milkshakes, yoghurts, smoothies, warm(not hot) soups and mashed potatoes

The DON’Ts:

• Don’t smoke
• Don’t eat solids immediately after
• Avoid sucking or spitting of any type.
• Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas.
• Don’t disturb or poke into the gap created.

The extraction site may take up to 2 weeks for the body to heal. However the most crucial time period is the first 3 days. It is strongly advisable to follow instructions given by the dentist.

Call your dentist if

Get in touch with your dentist if you have any of the following:

• • • • • Pain becomes more severe the day after your extraction.
        • Bleeding becomes hard to control.
        • Swelling around the extraction site worsens.
        • Itching or rashes occur after you take medicine.

Facing troubles in Kota Kinabalu after a tooth extraction? It’s a dental emergency. Call us now!