Smile SenseA guide to your smile!

You just lost your tooth and wondering what to do next? Your dentist would have given you a set of instructions . Follow them to promote faster healing and avoid complications. But the thing is, one always might forget a few instructions. Just so that you don’t, here is a compilation of all the Do’s and the Dont’s .

First 24 hours:

• NUMBNESS – Your gum and possibly your cheek and lip will feel numb for couple of hours, due to the local anesthesia. During this period be careful not to bite on your cheek or lip. Avoid taking hot beverages, as that can also burn you without you noticing.
• BLEEDING – To stop bleeding you will have to continue biting on a moist piece of gauze over the extraction site for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Don’t chew the gauze. If bleeding persists change to a fresh moist gauze and keep biting. If bleeding persists even after 12 hours contact your dentist.
• Swallow all the saliva collecting in your mouth. Don’t spit it.
• SWELLING – Apply ice-pack or crushed ice wrapped in a towel from outside on the face. This helps in bringing the swelling down (There is always a swelling – more like fullness,perceptible only to you). Ice works excellently for the first 24 hours.
• RINSING & BRUSHING – Don’t rinse for the first 24 hours, as that can dislodge the clot formed in the extraction socket. Clot is essential for best healing; if it is dislodged, can cause a condition know as ‘Dry socket’. Don’t brush for the first 8 hours. Then brush gently for next 3 – 4 days.
• Don’t probe the extraction socket with your tongue or finger as that can again dislodge the clot.
• SMOKING & DRINKING – You should not smoke for first 48 hours as it can dissolve the clot. Refrain from drinking alcohol for 48 hours
• DIET- Your diet should consist of soft, cold food viz. clear soup, puddings, mashed potato, etc. Avoid chewing on side of extraction.You should definitely avoid hot and spicy food, these dissolves the clot and increase bleeding.
• Don’t sip or suck through a straw.Drink plenty of fluids but avoid aerated drinks. Don’t play any wind instrument for 10 – 14 days.
• MEDICATIONS – Follow all medications ( Antibiotics & painkillers) as directed by your dentist.

After 24 hours:

• You can now start rinsing your mouth gently with lukewarm saline water ( 1/4 teaspoon of salt  in 1 cup of water) 4 – 5 times a day. Don’t rinse vigorously.
• You can start your normal diet but avoid chewing food on the site of extraction for a few more days.
• Start brushing normally at least twice a day and floss once a day.

Other instructions:

• SUTURES ( STITCHES) – If sutures have been placed, that is for faster and better healing of the extraction site. They will dissolve in 4 – 6 days. If non – dissolving suture were used an appointment after 7 days is required for removal of sutures.
• PAIN – Pain will gradually decrease over a period of time. If pain increases after a couple of days please consult your dentist.
• If you find any sharp projection over the extraction site , don’t get worried. It may be a bony fragment. Consult your dentist. It might have to be removed.

Initial healing takes 1 -2 weeks, gums heal in 3 – 4 weeks and complete healing occurs in about 6 weeks.

If you have doubt about any instruction, please call your dentist immediately.