Post-Visit Instructions

Dental Implant and Extraction Care Instructions

Post Implant Instructions – English

Post Extraction Instructions – English

Post Extraction Instructions – Spanish

General Instructions

Be careful not to dislodge the dressing (if used) over the graft. This is important for complete root coverage. Use an ice pack over the grafted site 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for three to four hours after surgery. This will prevent swelling. Twenty-four hours after surgery, rinse with Peridex twice a day. After the first week, you may use a cotton applicator (Q-tip) to dab the Peridex on the grafted and donor sites, twice a day, if rinsing begins to cause staining.

Begin brushing the rest of the mouth the day after surgery, but avoid brushing the graft sites for three weeks. Be careful not to dislodge dressing, but if the dressing becomes loose please call our dental clinic at (847) 469-3093.

After Tooth Extractions To Control Bleeding

After a tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot, as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, or brush teeth next to the extraction site for next 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as it will increase blood pressure and increase bleeding from the extraction site.

To Minimize Swelling

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

To Relieve Pain

Use the pain medication as directed. Call our dental clinic if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

Eating and Drinking

Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

Oral Hygiene is Important

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean. After a few days, you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling two or three days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at (847) 752-6246.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of teeth is quite different from the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:

  • The surgical area will swell.
  • Swelling peaks on the second or third day after the extraction.
  • Trismus (stiffness) of the muscles may make it difficult to open your mouth for a period of days.
  • You may have a slight earache.
  • You may develop a sore throat.
  • Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.
  • The corners of your mouth may be stretched out and become dried and cracked. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
  • There will be a space where the tooth was removed. After 24 hours this area should be rinsed following meals with warm salt water until it is healed. This cavity will gradually fill in with new tissue.
  • Your temperature may elevate slightly for 24 to 48 hours. If this temperature elevation continues, notify us.
  • You might develop bruising in the area of the extraction.
  • Please take all prescriptions as directed.

Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.

Special Considerations Following Removal of Impacted Teeth:

  • Removal of impacted teeth is a surgical procedure. Postoperative problems are not unusual, and extra care must be taken to avoid complications.
  • Severity of postoperative pain will depend on the procedure and your physical condition. Take medication for pain precisely as directed.
  • Healing of the surgical site is variable.
  • Swelling can be expected. Be certain to apply ice bags as directed above.
  • Difficulty in opening your mouth widely and discomfort upon swallowing should be anticipated.
  • Numbness of lips and/or tongue on the affected side may be experienced for a variable period of time.

Maintain a Proper Diet

It is most important that you maintain a nutritious diet during the weeks of healing. The patients who maintains a good diet of soft foods generally feel better, have less discomfort, and heal faster.

The foods listed below are planned to provide the adequate vitamins and minerals. FOOD CONTAINING TOMATOES, ONIONS, PEPPERS, OR SPICES OF ANY KIND WILL BE IRRITATING AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED. Fruit juices may cause a burning sensation unless taken through a straw. However, do not use a straw the first 24 hours.

Breakfast

  • Milk, hot chocolate, Ovaltine, tea, coffee, instant breakfast, or protein drinks.
  • Fresh juice drank through a straw. Stewed fruits, prunes, or similar fruits should be well mashed.
  • Cooked cereals, oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, grits with butter, or milk toast.

Lunch and Dinner *

*A blender can be used to liquefy foods

  • Home cooked broth, bouillon, and soups. Ground beef, soft broiled (broken in small pieces and mixed with whipped potatoes).
  • Baked or stewed fish (or fried fish with crust removed).
  • Broiled or stewed chicken (finely chopped) or fricassee.
  • Oyster stew, chicken noodles or dumplings, eggs as above.
  • Potatoes: baked, boiled, mashed, or whipped
  • Asparagus, green peas, carrots, lima beans, or string beans (all mashed)
  • Cream cheese, cheese soufflé, canned pears, or baked apples
  • Puddings and Jell-O custards
  • Cottage cheese or yogurt (both good added nutrition!)
  • Bread should be softened with vegetable juice or milk
  • Fresh vegetable juices (may be obtained at health food stores)
  • Nutriment, Carnation Slender, Sego, or a protein drink three or four times daily, either added to meals or as in-between-meals snack.
  • If vitamins have been prescribed, take as directed. Vitamins E and B complex with C vitamins are a good idea, during the healing phase.

REMEMBER: You may eat any soft foods that do not irritate. You may chew if it is not too uncomfortable to do so. You will probably lose parts of the dressing around the teeth as your ability to chew improves, but this should not bother you.

IMPORTANT: A hungry person becomes irritable and nervous. It has been scientifically proven that a patient in this state is more susceptible to pain. The importance of a good diet cannot be stressed enough, especially following surgery.

The antibiotics prescribed for you tend to alter the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. Eating yogurt with active cultures during the post-surgical weeks will help restore balance and help make you feel better.

IN CASE OF PROBLEMS: You should experience no trouble if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outlined. But if you should have any problems such as excessive bleeding, pain, or difficulty in opening your mouth, call us immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.
It is often advisable to return for a postoperative visit to make certain healing is progressing properly. A follow-up visit will be scheduled. In the meantime, maintain a healthy diet, observe rules for proper oral hygiene, and visit your dentist for regular checkups.