Advice following your dental extraction
Your case is individual; no two mouths are alike. Do not accept well-intended advice from friends. Discuss your problem with the person best able to effectively help you - your dentist! HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our practice on 0131 557 0202. Sutures/”Stitches”:
Your dentist may find it necessary to place sutures (stitches) after your tooth has been removed. For example, if a gum tissue flap was raised during your procedure, stitches will be needed to tack it back into place. You may notice that they are loose after the swelling of your gum tissue decreases. This is completely normal. Oozing: Bleeding will occur after surgery, and it is not uncommon to ooze blood for 24-48 hours after surgery. Keep in mind that oral bleeding represents a little blood and a lot of saliva. Placing a gauze pack over the area and biting firmly will control bleeding. If oozing is still active, replace gauze as needed every 30-45 minutes. Persistent bleeding: Bleeding should never be severe. If so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between teeth only and are not exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or begins again sit upright or in a recliner, avoid physical activity, use ice packs and bite on gauze for 1 hour or on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea leaves helps to promote blood clotting. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office. Excessive bleeding is defined as pooling or dripping blood out of the extraction sites within 15-20 seconds of removing the gauze. Don't use the amount of blood on the gauze as a guide, because minimal bleeding may persist for up to 24 hours. It is not unusual for saliva to be slightly blood-tinged for several days following surgery. Please call our office if you feel bleeding is excessive. Swelling: Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days after surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. Discoloration or Bruising: The development of black, blue, green or yellow discoloration is due to bruising beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence that might appear 2-3 days after surgery. Sharp Edges: If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call our practice. Dry Lips: If the corners of your mouth are stretched they may dry out and crack. Keep your lips moist with an ointment such as Vaseline. Dry Socket: After tooth extraction, it's important for a
blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. A dry socket can occur when the blood clot is dislodged from the surgery site exposing the bone and fine nerve endings. This condition is more common in back teeth, although it can occur in any extraction site. Dry socket occurs one or more days after an extraction and can last 5-6 days. Please remember! It is painful and you need treatment. Avoiding dry socket:
All those actions interfere with blood clotting. It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call our practice on 0131 557 0202. Does gauze prevent dry socket?The American Dental Association recommends you keep gauze over your extraction site for 30 to 45 minutes after surgery. This encourages a blood clot to form and can help prevent dry socket.
Can I take gauze out after 2 hours?Generally, you only need to leave the gauze in place as long as the site is actively oozing or bleeding. We recommend leaving the gauze in place, with direct biting pressure, for about one hour. After an hour, remove the gauze and evaluate the surgical site.
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