After Tooth Extraction

Essential Steps for Healing and Clot Protection

After a tooth extraction, the formation of a blood clot is the most critical step in the healing process. This clot protects the underlying bone and nerve endings while your gums begin to close. Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery.

🩸 Immediate Care: The First Hour

• Bite on Gauze: Keep firm pressure on the gauze pad placed over the extraction site for 30–45 minutes.

• Persistent Oozing: If bleeding or oozing continues, place a fresh gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may need to repeat this process several times until the bleeding subsides.

🔎 Protecting the Blood Clot (The 72-Hour Rule)

Once the clot has formed, it is vital not to disturb or dislodge it. For at least 72 hours, please avoid:

🚫 Rinsing vigorously or spitting.

🚫 Using straws.

🚫 Smoking or consuming alcohol.

🚫 Brushing the teeth immediately next to the extraction site.

These activities can dissolve or dislodge the clot, leading to a painful condition known as "Dry Socket".

🎈 Managing Pain & Swelling

• Swelling: It is normal to experience some swelling after an extraction. Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) to the outside of the face for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Swelling typically peaks after 48 hours.

• Medication: Take pain medications exactly as prescribed by Dr. Pujara. If the medication does not seem to provide relief, please contact our office.

• Antibiotics: If antibiotics were prescribed, continue taking them for the full indicated length of time, even if you no longer feel signs of infection.

🥣 Diet & Activity

• Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice, buttermilk).

• Soft Foods: On the day of extraction, stick to nutritious soft foods (mashed potatoes, yogurt, watery Khichdi). You may return to a normal diet as soon as you feel comfortable chewing.

• Exercise: Avoid vigorous physical activity for at least 24 hours. Increased heart rate can elevate blood pressure and lead to renewed bleeding at the extraction site.

🪥 Resuming Oral Hygiene

After 48 hours, it is important to resume your normal dental routine to keep the mouth clean and speed up healing.

• Gently brush and floss your other teeth.

• Use warm salt-water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) after meals to keep the extraction site free of food debris.

⚠️ When to Call Us Immediately

Please contact Dr. Shapath Pujara if you experience:

• Heavy, uncontrolled bleeding.

• Severe pain that is not relieved by medication.

• Swelling that continues to increase after the third day.

• A rash or unfavorable reaction to any medication.

Emergency Contact: +91-9428000016