Dr.

Jordan Johnson
Johnson Dental Associates
http://www.beta.mydentalhub.com/ada/test/
(800) 947-4746

Tooth Extraction
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A Few Simple Guidelines

Sometimes teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease or trauma. Having a tooth removed or
"pulled" is called a tooth extraction.

When you have an extraction, it’s natural that changes will occur in your mouth afterward. Your
dentist may give you instructions to follow after the extraction, and it's important to talk to your
dentist if you have any questions or problems. Here are some general guidelines to help promote
healing, prevent complications, and make you more comfortable.
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Anesthetics

Before the extraction, you will be given an anesthetic to reduce your discomfort. Your mouth will
remain numb for a few hours after the extraction. While your mouth is numb, you'll want to be careful
not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue. After the extraction, do not eat any foods that require chewing
while your mouth is numb. The numbness should go away within a few hours. If it doesn't, contact
your dentist.
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Bleeding

Your dentist may place a gauze pack on the extraction site to limit bleeding. This will also help a
blood clot to form, which is necessary for normal healing. This gauze pack should be left in place for
30 to 45 minutes after you leave the dentist's office. Do not chew on the pack. There may be some
bleeding or oozing after the pack is removed. If so, here’s what to do:
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• Fold a piece of clean gauze into a pad thick enough to bite on. Dampen the pad with clean, warm
water and place it directly on the extraction site.

• Apply pressure by closing the teeth firmly over the pad. Maintain this pressure for about 30 minutes.
If the pad becomes soaked with blood, replace it with a clean one.

• Do not suck on the extraction site or disturb it with your tongue.

• A slight amount of blood may leak from the extraction site until a clot forms. However, if heavy
bleeding continues, call your dentist. (Remember, though, that a little bit of blood mixed with saliva
can look like a lot of bleeding.)
Do Not Disturb!

The blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is an important part of the normal healing process. You
should avoid doing things that might disturb the clot. Here's how to protect it:

• Do not smoke, or rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These
activities create suction in the mouth, which could loosen the clot and delay healing.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash containing alcohol for 24 hours.

• Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the
blood clot to form.
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• Sometimes the blood clot does not form in the first day or two after the extraction, or it forms but
breaks down for some reason. The result is called dry socket. This can be very painful and should be
reported to your dentist. A dressing may be placed in the socket to protect it until the socket heals
and to reduce any pain.

Cleaning Your Mouth

Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You should, however,
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brush and floss your other teeth well and begin cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket
the next day. You can also brush your tongue. This will help get rid of the bad breath and unpleasant
taste that are common after an extraction.

The day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon salt in an
8 oz. glass of warm water) after meals to keep food particles out of the extraction site. Try not to
rinse your mouth vigorously, as this may loosen the blood clot. If you have hypertension, discuss with
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your dentist whether you should rinse with salt water. Avoid using a mouthwash during this early
healing period unless your dentist advises you to do so.

Medication

If your dentist has prescribed medicine to control pain and inflammation, or to prevent infection, use
it only as directed. If the pain medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, do not take more
pills or take them more often than directed—call your dentist.
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Swelling and Pain

After a tooth is removed, you may have some discomfort and notice some swelling. This is normal. To
help reduce swelling and pain, try applying an ice bag or cold, moist cloth to your face. Your dentist
may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress.
When to Call the Dentist

If you have any of the following issues, call your dentist immediately. If you cannot reach your dentist,
go to a hospital emergency room.

• fever, nausea or vomiting

• ongoing or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding

• pain that gets worse with time instead of better

Eating and Drinking

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After the extraction, drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods. Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic
beverages. Do not use a straw. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew
comfortably. For the first few days, try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site. When it
feels comfortable, you should resume chewing on both sides of your mouth.
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Follow-Up

If you have sutures that require removal, your dentist will tell you when to return to the office.
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