The removal of one or two teeth is a simple procedure. Extracting multiple teeth requires that the jawbone be shaped and removed to prepare for a denture or implants. You may experience the following after a multiple tooth extraction procedure. Within two days, you will experience the maximum swelling both inside the mouth and possibly around the eye as well. The area around your eye may also become discolored, which may be alleviated by a warm compress. The muscles near the extraction site may become sore after surgery, causing a sore throat. This is normal as well as the corners of your mouth becoming dry and cracked from being stretched open during surgery. In most cases, you will have a follow up appointment with your dentist. Please contact your dentist if you expirience pain that cannot be controlled by medications, fever, or difficulty swallowing.

Post Operative Instructions

Immediately after surgery bite on gauze pad for 1 hour. Keep swallowing. Do not spit out.

Bleeding. Some oozing or bleeding is to be expected, especially for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. It may be controlled by placing a clean gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for one-half hour. Repeat if necessary.

Rinsing. Do not rinse for 24 hours after surgery. Then rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of salt to a full glass of warm water after each meal. Do not rinse if bleeding occurs from surgical area.

Swelling normally occurs after surgery. To reduce the degree of swelling apply an ice bag to the face 5 minutes on and 5minutes off for one day. Do not use ice after 24 hours.

Pain. For mild discomfort after surgery take usual dosage of Tylenol. For severe pain take prescribed medication.

Food. Soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hours.

Nausea may occur following surgery. Relief may be found by drinking a glass of 7-up or Gingerale. To help prevent nausea and vomiting, do not take medication on an empty stomach.

Bony edges. After extraction, you may feel hard projections in the area of surgery. This usually is the hard bony partition surrounding the roots of the teeth.

Discoloration of the skin may appear following surgery. This is a normal occurrence and will resolve within several days.