Post-op Information Following Tooth Extraction
Day of Treatment
Please avoid extremely cold or hot foods until numbness wears off. Try to rest for the remainder of today, and avoid rigorous exercise. Increased activity can lead to increased bleeding.
You may expect to have some discomfort when the anesthetic wears off. Therefore, we advise that you start taking your pain medication, either prescription or over the counter, before all numbness has subsided. You should consistently feel better each day following treatment. Should discomfort increase after 3-4 days, please call the office.
During the first 24 hours after extraction, an ice pack placed on the facial area nearest to the extraction site will help decrease swelling and bruising. Alternate the ice pack on and off in 15 minute intervals. Minor head elevation for the first day or two following surgery will also help minimize facial swelling.
Small amounts of blood in your saliva may be present for the first few days following extraction. This will diminish as your mouth heals. Should significant bleeding persist, sit quietly and firmly bite down on moistened gauze or a moistened tea bag for twenty minutes. This should allow a clot to form, and the bleeding will stop. Otherwise, please call the office.
Do not drink through a straw or a sports water bottle, and avoid vigorous rinsing/spitting during this time as well. Please abstain from smoking for at least 24 hours following extraction.
Use the provided gauze moistened in mouthwash to gently clean your mouth instead of using your toothbrush today. Do not clean or disturb the extraction site.
Eat only very soft foods chewing away from the extraction site.
After 24 Hours
Continue to take your prescription or over the counter pain medication, if necessary.
Some facial swelling and/or bruising near the extraction area may become apparent. A warm pack can be applied at this time to aid in comfort and reduce swelling and bruising. Alternate the warm pack on and off in 15 minute intervals. Continue as needed.
Use the provided gauze moistened in mouthwash to gently clean your mouth instead of using your toothbrush today. Do not clean or disturb the extraction site.
Eat soft foods chewing away from the extraction site.
You may resume your normal exercise routine.
After 48 Hours
You may resume your customary oral hygiene regimen using a soft toothbrush. Please be very gentle around the extraction site.
Eat food that can be cut with a fork for the remainder of the first week if necessary. More solid foods can be added once you are comfortable.
Typically post-operative pain will be present for the first day or two after extraction. This discomfort is usually relieved with the prescribed post-op pain medication. Occasionally, particularly on the lower molars, pain may be present for seven to ten days post extraction. This situation should be reported to your doctor. If no infection is present, some patients may have to stay on pain medication until symptoms subside.
Occasionally, two to three weeks following an extraction, a small bone chip will work its way to the surface of your gum. The chip will usually work out over time. You can call the office for a short appointment to have the chip removed if it becomes too bothersome. Occasionally these bone chips can take eight to twelve weeks to resolve, and on lower molar extractions there can be delayed healing and prolonged discomfort.
Questions? Please Call
Office Hours:
- Monday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 to 4:00 pm
Should you have questions during office hours, please call the office at (630) 377-4677
After office hours, Dr. Kolinski and Dr. Crosby may be reached at the following phone numbers:
Dr. Kolinski’s home number: (630) 752-4222
Dr. Crosby’s Cell Number: (312) 399-7655
Dr. Kolinski’s cell number: (630) 235-3944
