Before removing a tooth, Dr. Froonjian will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where the tooth will be removed. Tooth removal is a simple procedure in most cases and is not as horrible as it may sound. It involves applying pressure to the tooth in order to loosen it in the socket. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches to facilitate better healing.
For patients who wish to be sedated with a general anesthetic, we will refer you to an oral surgeon.
Post-Op Instructions
It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery. If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:
Place a piece of gauze (or tea bag) over the surgery site and bite firmly for 1 hour. If bleeding persists bite on another gauze for another hour or til the bleeding stops. If swelling occurs, place an ice pack on cheek adjacent to where the extraction was, alternating on and off for 10 minutes at a time.
Drink plenty of liquids for the first 24 hours.
Also, for the first 24 hours, DO NOT do any thing which will cause suction in your mouth, such as smoking, drinking through a straw or spitting excessively. DO NOT drink alcohol, soda or hot liquids. If you need to blow your nose, do so gently. All these things may cause the blood clot over the extraction to be lost and severe pain may occur.
Maintain a soft food diet for remainder of the day of surgery.
After 24 hours begin rinsing gently with warm salt water rinses (1/4 teaspoon salt to 1 cup of warm water) after eating.
If you are given antibiotics you must take them as directed and until they are all finished so that the infection won't reoccur.
Dry sockets are causes when the sockets from which the teeth were extracted become infected and become extremely painful. Almost all dry sockets occur among smokers who continue to smoke. Nutrition is very important to your healing.
If any problems or have any questions, please contact the office.