Tooth pulled how long to keep gauze on

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

What is a tooth extraction?

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The Do’s and Don’ts after a Tooth Extraction
Do I keep gauze in overnight after tooth extraction?
Does gauze prevent dry socket?

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.

NORMAL BLEEDING
Continue to bite on the gauze placed in your extraction site for 30 minutes, maintaining firm pressure. Change the gauze every ten minutes, making sure to wet it before placement, until the bleeding stops (at which time gauze can be removed completely). A little blood can mix with your saliva and look like a lot of blood. If the oozing is thick, continue to bite on gauze or a wet tea bag until the bleeding stops. Keep your head elevated. Most importantly, for 48 hours following your extraction, DO NOT SMOKE, SPIT, USE A STRAW, DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES, OR ALCOHOL, AND AVOID STRENEOUS EXERCISE. Avoid blowing your nose and sneezing (if you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to prevent any sinus damage) for the first week. These activities can dislodge the blood clot and result in a very painful dry socket, for which there is no cure.

PAIN MEDICATION
Begin taking your prescribed pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off. Take your medication with food if it causes nausea. Obey the warnings on the medication bottle including avoiding alcohol and driving while taking your medication.

ORAL HYGIENE
DO NOT rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 8 hours following your extractions. After 8 hours, you may brush gently, avoiding the area of surgery, and then begin warm salt-water rinses (one tsp. in an 8 ounce glass of water) repeating 4 times a day, especially after meals, for one week.

SWELLING, BRUISING, JAW STIFFNESS
There are four things that you can expect to experience after your surgery: minor bleeding (1-2 days), slowly improving pain (1-5 days), tightness of jaw (up to 2 weeks), and swelling (up to 1 week).

Swelling: apply ice packs to face in area of extraction for 30 minutes on, then 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours following surgery. After the first 24 hours, discontinue ice and use a heating pad or moist heat compress to bring the swelling down.
Bruising: Bruising may occur around the head and neck. It will disappear in 7-10 days.
Jaw Stiffness: Sore jaw muscles will improve in 5-10 days, limit the opening of your mouth and avoid chewing gum.

SUTURES
Sutures (stitches) need to be removed in 5-7 days following placement unless otherwise instructed.

DIET
Your diet for the first day will consist of soft, cold foods such as: jello, pudding, yogurt, applesauce, milk shakes, cottage cheese, or ice cream. Soup is fine at room temperature. Use the side of your mouth opposite of the extraction site(s) to chew.

CALL THE OFFICE
If you need to make an appointment for suture removal, have uncontrolled bleeding, increased swelling, fever, or pain that begins on the 3rd or 4th day after surgery.

Do I keep gauze in overnight after tooth extraction?

It is not unusual to have residual bleeding after tooth extraction for up to 24 hours. It is advisable to use an old pillow case as not to damage your favorite ones. Please remove the gauze when you eat or drink. Do not sleep with the gauze in your mouth.

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.