Take any over-the-counter pain medication (examples: Tylenol or Advil) or any prescribed medication and/or antibiotics as directed. Start taking pain medication before the freezing wears off.
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Bite firmly on the gauze that has been placed on the extraction site. Do this until you arrive home, then change the piece of gauze every 10-15 minutes until you see that bleeding has stopped. Alternatively, a moistened tea bag can be used should you run out of gauze.

Avoid strenuous activities for the next 24 hours. Rest is important for successful healing!

Apply an ice pack to your face, near the extraction area: 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. Do this for the remainder of the day; it will help control swelling. Swelling will reach its peak 48-72 hours post-surgery.
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For the next 24 hours, minor bleeding may occur from the extraction site. This is normal.
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- If excessive bleeding continues after 24 hours, call our clinic for instructions! You may experience bruising and jaw muscle stiffness. This, too, is normal.

- Your ability to open your mouth may be limited but try to open and close your jaw gently to loosen up the muscles. It may take approximately 2-3 weeks for your jaw to move normally again.

Soft-warm and cool foods such as soup, yogurt, or ice cream are examples of what can be consumed on day one. You should be able to resume your normal diet within a couple of days.
Tomorrow, attempt normal oral hygiene including brushing around the extraction site. Keeping the
extraction area clean will promote faster healing. Be careful not to poke the site directly with your
toothbrush or toothpicks!

If stitches have been placed in the surgical area, these stitches will dissolve over time and can take up to several weeks to dissolve fully. It is also normal for the stitches to fall out on their own and to not be alarmed if they do so. If the stitches start poking your gums or are uncomfortable, please reach out to the clinic to schedule a post-op check so the dentist can adjust the stitches accordingly.

DO NOT:

1. Do not rinse your mouth, spit or brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After 8 hours, to keep the area clean, you may rinse gently with warm salt water and brush around the surgical site.

2. Do not use Listerine or Scope for 2 weeks. These will irritate and burn the surgical site, impeding recovery time and cause pain.
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3. Do not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours or smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery. These substances can interfere with healing and cause blood clot breakdown, leading to dry socket.

4. Do not drink through a straw. You should drink plenty of fluids but avoid using a straw. Also, avoid fidgeting with the area!

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