After the EXTRACTION of Multiple Teeth

HOME INSTRUCTIONS AFTER THE EXTRACTION OF MULTIPLE TEETH

It is normal to experience a little amount of bleeding after surgery to extract multiple teeth. Whenever this occurs, place a gauze over the bleeding socket and leave it to put with slight pressure applied for 30minutes. If the bleeding persists, place a wet black tea bag over the site for 30 minutes, the tannic acid present in the black tea helps to form blood cloth by contracting the vessels. It is essential to avoid hot liquids, food, and raise the head during this period. If the bleeding continues, call or come to our office immediately. You don’t need to remove the denture unless the bleeding is severe, it is reasonable to experience some oozing for some time around the denture until a clot is appropriately formed.

Apply ice packs externally on the cheeks near the surgical site within the first 36 hours, and we encourage you to continue to use an ice pack as long as you are awake.

For mild discomfort, take Aspirin, Tylenol, or similar medication. Take two tablets every 3-4 hours or two to three tablets of ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) every 3-4 hours.

If the pain is severe, follow your doctor’s prescription, and if the pain does not subside after two days, please call your doctor for further instructions. If you have antibiotics as part of your medicine, please use them accordingly to prevent infection.

Drink a lot of fluid to help you replenish the lost blood/fluid. You may need up to six glasses of liquid during the first 24 hours.

Do not rinse your mouth within the next 24hours after the surgery or when there is bleeding. However, you can clean your mouth gently with warm salt water every 4 hours and after meals to flush out food debris or particles. A teaspoon of salt in one cup of lukewarm water is adequate.

Bear in mind that a single tooth extraction is different from multiple teeth extraction, hence the following conditions are normal and may be experienced because the bone has to be shaped and smoothed before a denture is inserted.

Swelling: The operated area may swell and get to the maximum point in two days. Swelling and discoloration of the eye may appear, but it usually disappears with the application of a warm towel over the area. You can use the cloth after 36hours and as long as you can tolerate it. (Ice packs are useful before 36 hours after surgery).

Sore throat: This may occur due to swelling and pain of the muscles of the throat that are close to the extraction site. This soreness is normal and usually resolves within 2-3 days.

Dry lips: You may experience dry lips or cracks of the mouth corners if they are stretched during the surgery. It is essential to apply a moist ointment like Vaseline.

Temperature: You may experience a slight increase in temperature within the first 24-48 hours, but it should return to normal. However, if it persists, please notify our office.

Sore Spots: You may develop sore spots if dentures are inserted immediately after the multiple extractions. Usually, your surgeon will see you within 24-48 hours after the surgery, and you should report to him so that necessary adjustments can be made to prevent delay of the healing process due to chronic denture sores.