When should i remove the gauze after tooth extraction

POST-OPERATIVE CARE AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION

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The Do’s and Don’ts after a Tooth Extraction
Do you remove gauze to eat after tooth extraction?
Should I keep gauze in my mouth overnight after tooth extraction?
Can gauze pull out blood clot?
Does gauze prevent dry socket?

1.Continue to bite on two pieces of folded gauze at the extraction site. Initially you have to change the gauze every 5-10 minutes. As bleeding slows down , you don’t have to change the gauze as often. If you run out of gauze supplies, use a tea bag instead. Place the tea bag in the hot water to sterilize it , then remove it and wait until it is cold. Place the tea bag over the extraction site and gently bite.

2.Keep fingers and other object away from the extraction site.

3.Do not rinse out your mouth or spit today as that may cause more bleeding (7-8 hours).

4.Keep ice pack, frozen gel-pack, or a frozen bag of peas on your face close to the extraction site intermittently. Place it for 20 minutes, then remove it for 20 minutes, this way the blood supply to the area will not be cut out.

5.Avoid drinking hot beverage, and hot food (coffee, tea, soup) at least until the bleeding completely stopped. Let the beverage/food cool before eating today. On the day of surgery most people find cool soft foods (ice cream, yogurt) soothing.

6.Cold or lukewarm liquids may be taken for the first 4-6 hours. After this any soft food is permissible. Avoid food with sharp edges such as chips, crackers, and toast for the next week.

7.Avoid smoking for at least 12 hours. Be aware that smoking after 12 hours also may increase the chance of infection and bleeding.

8.Start tomorrow, rinse your mouth frequently with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Continue to rinse for a few days.

9.An irrigation syringe will be given to all patients to irrigate the extraction site thoroughly. Place the plastic tip of the syringe gently at the extraction site and press the plunger to irrigate the wound free of food debris and bacteria.

10.Some patients will be given a prescription-strength mouth rinse. It should be use twice a day in addition to the saltwater.

11. It is normal for the saliva to be streaked with blood for a day. If frank bleeding is present, fold sterile gauze into a firm wad or use a lukewarm tea bag and place it directly on the bleeding area. Maintain firm pressure by biting for 20 minutes. The tannic acid in tea has a clotting effect.

12. Swelling and discolouration is to be expected in certain areas, usually reaching its maximum two days after surgery. It will disappear gradually and is no cause for concern. Intermittent use of ice pads can reduce the chance of swelling.

13. If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics you will need to complete the entire course of medication that has been prescribed to minimize the chance for Infection.

14. Start pain relievers BEFORE your anesthesia wears off. Unless otherwise specified, start with Ibuprofen 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) every 4-6 hours for adults. Follow the appropriate instructions, if a prescription strength pain reliever is given.

15. Avoid drinking alcohol or driving if taking prescription pain medication.

16. The next day after extraction begin gentle rinsing with the prescription rinse, if given two times per day (after breakfast, and before bedtime) as directed on the bottle. You also should continue to rinse with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. salt to 8oz. glass of water) between the prescription rinses for the next two weeks.

17.Avoid vigorous exercise and excessive talking for the next 3 days.

18. If stitches are used, most may not dissolve on their own and must be removed at your follow-up appointment. Never pull at loose stitches or attempt to remove them yourself.

19. Most post-surgical pain is Improving by the third day. If pain or swelling is increasing on the fourth day or later after the surgery, call the office (604-985-7032) to speak with our staff or with Dr. Chehroudi. You may have to come in for a follow up visit ASAP.

The Do’s and Don’ts after a Tooth Extraction

What is a tooth extraction?

The term refers to the painless removal of a tooth or tooth roots with minimum trauma to the surrounding tissues so that the extraction socket wound heals uneventfully and without any post-operative complications. Whenever any surgery takes place the first thing we want is to let it heal properly, quickly and smoothly. As a common practice, most of the dental surgeons have standard post-surgery instructions printed which are handed over to the patient. One must follow these instructions given by the dentist. Following all the post-operative instructions after tooth extraction reduces the incidence of infection and chances of dry socket. If aftercare instructions are not followed then it can cause complications, which can further lead to delayed healing. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts after a tooth extraction.

Do’s:

Rest: Try to get some rest after Tooth Extraction. You may feel great but don’t exercise or do too much activity for at least 24 hours. When resting, keep your head in a slightly upright position on the pillow.
Let it clot:Let the clot be formed on the tooth extraction site, which covers it and allows it to heal. After the procedure your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on near the extraction site. Try to bite down and keep it in place for at least an hour afterwards. This will put pressure over the wound and help it to stop bleeding. However, make sure you don’t chew on gauze piece. If you can keep it in place longer that’s best, but make sure to change the gauze after roughly every half hour, depending on the amount of bleeding. If once the clot forms it becomes dislodge the nerve endings then become exposed. The nerves and capillaries spasm and constrict, limiting essential blood supply, which causes delay in healing. If the bleeding persists for a few hours after the procedure then try putting a wet tea bag on the site. The tannic acid present in black tea helps to aide in the clotting process.
Ice Packs: Apply an ice pack on the side of your face where surgery was performed. This is done to reduce swelling. While on simple extractions swelling isn’t accompanied, in cases requiring severe cheek retractions swelling can occur after operation. The swelling after an extraction may not occur immediately, but can continue to swell for a few days, reaching a maximum at the 2nd or 3rd day. Application of the ice pack is most effective during the day of extraction as after 24 hours there is no significant beneficial effect. Ice packs should be applied 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for 1-2 hour time periods.

Don’ts:

Don’t smoke:For at least 48 hours after tooth extraction do not smoke. The chemicals in the smoke can affect the clot and hence the chances of developing dry socket 3-4 days after tooth extraction increases.
Don’t eat solids immediately after: While you still have numbness it’s best not to eat solids. When you start feeling your jaws you can start taking solids. After tooth extraction, take soft and liquid foods like soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc.
Warm saline rinses: The main aim of rinsing is to clean the area of extraction as it is not possible to brush the socket. We mix salt to make the solution isotonic and similar to natural tissue fluid and thus it is less irritating than water. Rinsing is usually advised 12 hours after extraction. So, warm saline rinses help in cleaning and maintaining the hygiene of that area.
Take your medicines as prescribed by your dentist: Don’t skip the medicines. If antibiotics are given they should be taken regularly. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are to be taken after tooth extraction. It help in reducing the pain and swelling. If the pain continues even after two days of tooth extraction and bleeding starts then you should call your dentist.
Avoid Aspirin: Don’t ever take aspirin (Can take ibuprofen). Aspiring being a blood thinner will delay in clot formation thereby will prevent healing. Take the medications as prescribed by the physician and consult your dentist before taking any medicine.
Avoid Sucking of any type: SMOKING, SIPPING, EATING HARD VEGETABLES are to be avoided after tooth extraction. Try taking soft and liquid food options such as soups, mashed potatoes, yogurts, milkshakes, smoothies etc. after tooth extraction. Avoid hot drinks, spicy foods, sodas, etc.
Don’t poke into the gap created: Though for initial few days, it will feel a bit awkward to have a gap but don’t poke that area with any toothpick or tongue as it may delay healing, may provoke bleeding and can also lead to dry socket.

Do you remove gauze to eat after tooth extraction?

Please remove the gauze when you eat or drink. Do not sleep with the gauze in your mouth. Pay special attention to the placement of the gauze , making sure it is over the surgical site and not just between the teeth.

Should I keep gauze in my mouth overnight after tooth extraction?

Remove the gauze after 30 minutes and do NOT place new gauze in your mouth if bleeding has stopped. A trail of blood in your saliva is NOT bleeding. Residual bleeding can last up to 36 hours. Bleeding is saturated blood constantly oozing out of the extraction site and it would outflow when you try to speak.

Can gauze pull out blood clot?

Gauze placed against the wound will draw blood from the clot and this, likewise, is not a sign of bleeding. Place an old towel over your pillow for the first night to reduce risk of staining. If the bleeding persists, contact the office.

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.