Patient Care · Post-Operative
After Tooth
Extraction
Follow these instructions carefully to control bleeding, minimize swelling, and support a smooth, complete recovery.
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Serious Post-Operative Care Required
The removal of impacted wisdom teeth is a significant surgical procedure. Post-operative care is essential. Unnecessary pain, infection, and swelling can all be minimized by following these instructions closely.
Immediately Following Surgery
The First Hours
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Keep the gauze pad in place for 30 minutes, then remove and discard. Do not disturb or rinse the wound area.
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Take prescribed pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic begins to wear off — do not wait.
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Rest for the day. Restrict physical activity.
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Apply ice packs to the sides of your face immediately. See swelling section below.
Protecting the Blood Clot
After tooth extraction, it is critical that a blood clot forms over the socket to stop bleeding and begin healing. Bite firmly on the gauze pad placed by Dr. Williams for 30–45 minutes after your appointment. Replace with a fresh pad and continue biting firmly if oozing persists — repeat as needed.
For 72 hours following extraction: no vigorous rinsing, no straws, no smoking, no alcohol, and do not brush directly at the extraction site. All of these can dislodge the blood clot and delay healing. Also limit vigorous exercise for 72 hours — elevated blood pressure can cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
Managing Discomfort:
Swelling
Swelling is proportional to the extent of surgery and peaks 2–3 days after the procedure — not immediately.
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Apply ice packs continuously while awake for the first 24 hours. After that, ice is no longer beneficial.
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Beginning 36 Hours post-surgery, Switch to moist heat applied to the sides of the face to reduce residual swelling.
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Black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration 2–3 days post-op is normal — blood spreading beneath the tissue — and will resolve on its own.
Managing Discomfort:
Pain Managment
Moderate Pain
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Tylenol (1–2 tablets every 3–4 hrs) or ibuprofen / Advil / Motrin (2–4 × 200 mg tablets every 3–4 hrs). Both may be taken together.
Severe Pain
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Take prescription medication exactly as directed. Prescription pain medicines may cause drowsiness — do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol.
Pain should decrease each day. If it worsens after day 3 or radiates to your ear or jaw, this may signal dry socket — call our office.
Eating After Extraction
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Cool or lukewarm soft foods the first day — yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies (no straw), soup.
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Stay well-hydrated — at least 5–6 glasses of liquid daily even if appetite is reduced.
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No straws. Suction can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket
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Return to a normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable.
Oral Hygiene:
Keeping Your Mouth Clean
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First 24 hours: Do not rinse. Brush other teeth gently but avoid the extraction site.
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After 24 hours: Rinse gently with warm salt water (1 tsp salt in 8 oz warm water) at least 4 times daily, especially after meals. Continue for 1 week.
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Resume normal brushing and flossing for all other teeth. Be gentle near the socket.
Other considerations
Antibiotics
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Complete the full antibiotic course as prescribed. Stop and call our office if you develop a rash or adverse reaction.
Nausea & Vomiting
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If nausea occurs, take nothing by mouth for 1 hour. Then sip Coke, tea, or ginger ale slowly over 15 minutes. Resume food and medication when nausea subsides.
Sutures
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Sutures are typically self-dissolving. If one comes out early, simply discard it — not a problem. If removal is required, the process takes about a minute and is painless.
Exercise
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No vigorous exercise for 72 hours. Reduced nourishment combined with any sedation lowers your endurance. If you become light-headed, stop immediately.
Call our office immediately for: heavy bleeding not stopped by gauze · severe pain worsening after day 3 · swelling increasing after 72 hours · fever · or an adverse reaction to medication. 281-896-0974