Care after an extraction:

1. Do not rise mouth the day of extraction: Start to rinse your mouth the next day gently every 3-4 hours (especially after meals) using 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Consinue rinses for several days.
2. Bleeding: Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for 1/2 hour. Repeat if necessary.
3. Swelling: Ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area - 1/2 hour on and 1/2 hour off for 4-5 hours.
4. Pain: For mild to average pain use any non aspirin-type of medication you like.
5. Food: Start with liquids and soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. When the area feels better, you can move on to a normal diet. Use caution when chewing on hard foods near the surgical area.
6. Bony Edges: Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if annoying return to this office for their simple removal.
7. If any unusual symptoms occur, call the office at once.
8. The proper care following oral surgical procedures will hasten the recovery and prevent complications.


After Root Canal Therapy

1. Refrain from eating until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury soft tissue.
2. You may feel soreness in the area as well as pressure when you bite down in the area that has been treated. For this reason, you should avoid hard and chewy foods. If you have soreness do not eat on the treated side of your mouth for at least 24 hours. The soreness should decrease within a week.
3. Take any antibiotic medication prescribed to you by the doctor as this will eliminate any remaining infection in the tooth.
4. If you notice any of the following symptoms please contact our office: Increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth, reaction to the medication, loss of the temporary filling material, tooth fracture.