fen (only if you are not hypersensitive or allergic) 400 mg by mouth every 4 hours for the first 24-48 hours. If you are taking any medications on a regular basis, please continue to do so, unless instructed otherwise. Call the office 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. 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. Do NOT drive while using narcotic pain medications.
Initial Food suggestions (examples only) – Start soft and advance as tolerated. Start with room temperature or colder water or soda to make sure the stomach is settled but DO NOT drink with a straw because it may cause dry socket. Avoid hot liquids. Avoid alcoholic beverages. For the first 2 days consider foods that require very little jaw movement and will minimize soreness during the healing process including:
These are only suggestions! Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, potato chips, and crumbly foods.
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. Rinsing may be performed after bleeding ceases and should be performed gently. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
Nausea and vomiting can and does occur, usually because of swallowing blood. Medications can also cause nausea. Taking small sips of a carbonated beverage and rest sometimes will help ease an upset stomach. While nauseated, gently continue clear liquids to prevent dehydration. For severe or persistent nausea, do NOT take anything except Advil or Tylenol for pain; use lots of ice. Once nausea ceases you may resume the medications as directed. If nausea and vomiting continue for longer than 15-24 hours, call the doctor for further instructions.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
The most common reasons for tooth loss include advanced periodontal disease, extensive tooth decay, and facial trauma. According to statistics, gum disease is responsible for close to 70% of tooth loss in adults. Although less frequent than the preceding three reasons, it should also be noted that specific diseases, drugs, smoking, and poor nutrition contribute to the risk of tooth loss.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, an average of 12 teeth (including the wisdom teeth) are lost by the age of 50. Also, 26% of adults between 65 and 74 years of age have lost all their teeth.
Every patient and every situation is different. However, when a tooth and the surrounding tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic, you should only expect to feel a bit of pressure, but no pain as the tooth is being loosened from the surrounding tissues and extracted. For patients who are apprehensive and for some surgical extractions, our office will discuss our options in dental sedation to provide further relaxation and reduce any sense of discomfort.
While it's normal to feel some tenderness and swelling following an extraction, the degree of these sensations can vary. It mostly depends on the complexity of the extraction and the body's response to the procedure. We'll recommend or prescribe the appropriate pain medication to help ensure your comfort and give you specific instructions for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Typically, the recovery period following a simple extraction is shorter than a surgical extraction. However, a patient's overall health, habits, and the size and location of the tooth, and other variables can influence recovery and healing. To speed up the recovery and avoid any complications, patients must follow the given at-home instructions diligently. We'll carefully review what to expect following your procedure and go over your post-op instructions.
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