Anesthesia: Before extraction, we anesthetize the tooth and the gums to eliminate any discomfort to you during the procedure. Due to the numbness, you may accidently bite the inside of your cheeks or tongue and may not even feel it. However, once the effect of anesthesia wears off, you may be in pain. So, to avoid the same, do not eat anything till the time the anesthesia effect wears off.
Bleeding: After extraction, we place a cotton gauze pad on the extraction site to control bleeding and request you to apply moderate pressure over the gauze pad for one hour. However, if bleeding continues even after one hour, place a new gauze pad for some more time. This is important for proper healing. If bleeding still does not subside, take a teabag, put it under running water for a few seconds, squeeze out excess water and then bite on it with firm steady pressure.
Red tinged saliva is normal for a few days following surgery and is not indicative of bleeding. Gauze placed against the wound will draw blood from the clot and this, likewise, is not a sign of bleeding.
While sleeping, it is advisable to keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. It is best to place an old towel over your pillow for the first night to reduce risk of blood staining.
Bleeding and Blood Clot: The natural defense of the body forms a blood clot over the extraction site to protect it. This blood clot is very important for self healing, and if lost, complications can crop up. To protect the blood clot, please:-
Swelling: Swelling is normal after extraction. To reduce swelling, you may apply Ice Packs for 20 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours. However, swelling may last for a few days, but nothing to worry as this is normal and the swelling will subside gradually
Diet: You can start eating once the anesthesia effect wears off, and the bleeding stops. However, please restrict your diet to soft foods for the first few days.
Pain: Please take all pain-relieving medication as prescribed. It is best to begin the medication course before the anesthetic wears off. Also, do not consume any medication on empty stomach.
Hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene even after extraction. Continue brushing and flossing twice a day. However, please do not brush directly over the extraction site until it has fully healed. You may gently rinse your mouth after brushing and meals. But do remember, no vigorous rinsing or spiting.
