After the Removal of Multiple Teeth
You may notice some moderate bleeding and redness in your mouth and saliva for the first 24 hours after your surgery. If you experience excessive bleeding (mouth filling with blood), you can control this by gently biting on a gauze pad placed over the bleeding socket for 30 minutes. We recommend that you avoid hot liquids and exercise, and that you keep your head elevated to reduce bleeding. If this excessive bleeding continues, please call our office for instructions. Do not remove the immediate denture unless the bleeding has become severe. Additionally, some oozing around the edges of the denture is to be expected.
Pain and swelling are, unfortunately, typical side effects of having a teeth extracted. Placing ice packs or bags of frozen vegetables to the external area above the surgical site for the first 36 hours will help reduce swelling. Swelling typically subsides within 48 hours.
If you are experiencing moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol can be taken every 3-4 hours. If you prefer, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be taken instead. Ibuprofen bought over-the-counter comes in 200 mg tablets; 2-3 tablets can be taken every 3-4 hours.
If you are in severe pain, take the medication prescribed by Dr. Davies as directed. This pain medication may make you feel tired or groggy. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery while taking them. Avoid alcoholic beverages. The pain or discomfort after surgery should become less each day. If the pain persists or grows worse after 2 days, it may require attention, and you should call the office.
If Dr. Davies prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them for the full indicated time, even if signs or symptoms of infection or pain have subsided.
It is important that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. If several teeth have been extracted, this will help replace the blood that was lost. Drink at least 6 glasses of liquid (preferably water) the first day.
You should not rinse in any way until the day after your surgery, or while there is still bleeding. Brushing your teeth the night of surgery is acceptable, but rinsing should be done very carefully to avoid dislodging the blood clot forming over your surgery site.
The day after surgery you should start rinsing with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water) every 4 hours, and is especially important after meals and snacks. Once you’ve seen the dentist for a denture adjustment, remove the denture and rinse 3-4 times each day.
Immediately following surgery, limit your diet to liquids and soft foods only. As you begin to heal and feel more comfortable eating, you can begin incorporating your regular foods back into your diet.
Having multiple teeth removed at once is different than having only one or two removed. The underlying bone must be shaped and smoothed before dentures can be placed. As such, any of the following may occur, and all are considered normal:
- The surgical sites will swell, typically reaching their peak within two days. Swelling and/or discoloration around the eye can occur, and the application of a damp, warm compress will help the discoloration disperse more quickly. This compress should be applied continuously after the first 36 hours, for as long as tolerable (remember ice packs are used for the first 36 hours only).
- You may develop a sore throat due to swelling in the throat muscles which are in close proximity to the extraction sites. This should subside after 2-3 days.
- During surgery, the corners of your mouth were probably stretched a little bit, which can lead to cracking or dryness. We recommend keeping them moist with an ointment like Vaseline.
- Jaw muscle stiffness is also not uncommon following oral surgery and may lead to difficulty opening your mouth for a few days. It is a normal reaction and will resolve on its own.
If Dr. Davies has given you immediate dentures, you may notice some sore spots. In most cases, you’ll be seen again within 24-48 hours after your surgery and he will make the necessary adjustments then to relieve the sore areas. If this isn’t done, the sores may worsen and prolong the healing process.