Deedee Gurin DMD, LLC

Dentistry of Milton

Dentistry of Milton

Deedee Gurin, DMD

Voted Best of Boston and Readers Choice Best Dentist

Extractions & Oral Surgery

Why would I need an extraction or oral surgery?

At times a tooth may need to be removed. Some teeth have to be extracted because they have broken unfavorably, are severely decayed, have periodontal disease or even because they are malpositioned in the mouth. Together, we can decide what your best course of treatment may be.

Post Extraction Care

  1. Bleeding To prevent unnecessary bleeding, maintain gentle pressure over the extraction site by biting on gauze. you have been given a supply of gauze pads. If more is required, it can be purchased at a drug store or supermarket. A moistened tea bag wrapped in a piece of gauze is equally effective. Pressure should be applied for 1-2 hours or until most of the bleeding has stopped. Change gauze every 15 minutes or when saturated. It is not unusual to have some slight oozing for up to 24 hours. Rest for the remainder of today and keep your head slightly elevated. Do not engage in physical activity to avoid stimulating the bleeding.
  2. Medications You may take up to 800 mg Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours as needed for pain and swelling.
  3. Eating It is important to get adequate nutrition after dental surgery to help the healing process. Please eat only soft foods for the next 24 hours. Advance to harder foods as your healing progresses.
  4. Rinsing and Brushing Do not rinse for 24 hours following extractions since this could dislodge the blood clot, and may cause a dry socket. Smoking a drinking through a straw can also lead to a dry socket. After the 24 hours are up, rinse with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp. salt for 8 oz. water) 3-4 times a day for 4-5 days.
  5. Ice Packs To help prevent swelling, ice packs should be applied adjacent to the extraction site. To the extent possible, apply periods of 20 minutes on and 5 minutes off until bedtime the day of surgery. Ice is not particularly useful after the first day. With most oral surgery, swelling peaks at about 48 hours and then goes down. Significant swelling beyond this point could indicate infection. If this occurs, call us right away!