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- Discomfort and swelling
of the affected side may occur for 24-48 hours. Tenderness when
chewing may persist for up to a week.
- A small amount of bleeding for a few
hours is not unusual and can be controlled by biting on a piece
of gauze or a wet tea bag. A lot of saliva mixed with a little
blood can look deceiving. Seepage may occur 3-4 days after the
extraction. If you are concerned about the amount of bleeding, DO
NOT hesitate to call.
- Ibuprofen (ie. Advil, Motrin) 400-800 mg
every 6 hours usually will provide sufficient pain relief. Be
sure to take this medication with food. Additional medications
will be prescribed if needed.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed for
infection. All of this medication should be taken as directed
unless an allergic reaction develops. If there are sings of an
allergic reaction (ie. rash, itching, unusual swelling), stop taking
the medication immediately and call Dr. Taylor. If the reaction
is severe (ie. difficulty breathing), go to the nearest Emergency
Room.
- NO ALCOHOLIC beverages should be
consumed while taking these medications.
- To keep swelling to a minimum, apply an
ice pack to the affected side for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
Do this as often as possible for the first day and as needed on
subsequent days. Avoid heat to the outside of the affected side.
- Brush your teeth as usual but
brush gently around the surgical site. You may use salt water
rinses after 24 hours (dissolve 1 tsp salt in 1 cup warm
water).
- Do not smoke or drink through a straw
for at least 24 hours; these can cause delayed healing and/or a
dry socket. When you do resume smoking, take small puffs rather
than deep drags to keep from loosening the clot.
- Until the site is not tender, eat a soft
diet (ie. pasta, fish, potatoes). Be sure to drink plenty of
water (8 glasses/day). Adequate nutrition aids in healing.
- Sleep works wonders for the body, so
take it easy for the rest of the day. Go to bed earlier than
usual with your head slightly elevated.
- Upper back-teeth are close to your
sinuses. If you have had these teeth extracted, you may have a
slight opening between your mouth and sinus. As a precaution,
you should blow your nose very gently. Do not stifle or suppress
sneezes. Avoid excessive blowing or sucking pressure with
either your nose or mouth. Keep cotton gauze in the
extraction site for the first few days, changing it frequently.
ALWAYS REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT PLEASE CALL
OUR OFFICE AT 755-5400 OR DR. TAYLOR'S HOME: 843-4271
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