Instructions for After a Dental Extraction

What should happen after Cranford Dental removes a broken or infected tooth? How should you feel? How should you take care of your mouth?

Here’s exactly what you should do at home after an extraction at Cranford Dental. Also, we explain how you should feel following a tooth extraction at our Rock Hill Dental office.

Tooth Extraction Post-Op Instructions

• Apply firm pressure with gauze for 20 minutes at a time until bleeding stops. Change out gauze as needed.
• Rest when you get home with head elevated on a pillow.
• Take ibuprofen (600 mg, every 4-6 hours) or Tylenol (500-1000 mg) if you can’t take ibuprofen.
• Follow our instructions for the use of other medications.
• Beginning tomorrow, gently rinse with warm salt water after meals (1 tsp. salt per 8 oz. warm water)
• For swelling, use a cold compress on day one, warm compress on following days if needed. Use your Cranford Dental Ice/Heat pack.
• No drinking from a straw. No forceful spitting. No smoking.
• Eat soft foods for 3 days or until comfortable.

Call 803-324-7670 if you require additional follow up. One of our dentists is on call after hours for emergencies.

Tooth Extraction Questions for when you get Home

Will my mouth or teeth hurt? 

You will have some soreness in the area where the tooth was removed. You may also notice tenderness in the jaw.

Will I bleed?

There will be minimal bleeding after a tooth is removed.

Your dentist will make sure any bleeding is under control before you leave the office. In some cases, she may place sutures to help stop bleeding.

What can I eat?

It is important that you remain hydrated and nourished after an extraction.

You will want to drink water and eat soft foods until you can return to your normal menu.

When should I call Cranford Dental?

Contact Cranford Dental if you experience these problems in the days after your extraction.

• Bleeding that will not stop
• Sudden, intense pain that doesn’t improve with medication
• Swelling of the jaw
• Fever and malaise

When can I go back to school or work?

This varies with the patient and with the type of extraction.  With a simple extraction you should be able to return to work the same day.  Even with the removal of wisdom teeth some patients can go to work or school the day following the procedure.

Sometimes the recovery from the anesthesia takes longer than the recovery from the dental procedure.  You may want to discuss having your extraction done with the least amount of sedation possible.

Rest and follow the instructions given by your dentist after your extraction. You will be feel better and heal faster. 

Contact Cranford Dental at 803-324-7670 or email our office if you have any concerns after you leave our office.  We want you to be comfortable with your treatment.