After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

After surgery to expose an impacted tooth, care must be taken to avoid excessive bleeding and promote healing. Follow the steps outlined below.

Surgical Site

  • Do not disturb the surgical site.
  • If surgical packing was used keep the tooth exposed, don’t touch it. If it loosens or falls out, don’t be alarmed.
  • Avoid brushing your teeth or chewing near the surgical site.

Bleeding

For 24 hours after surgery, some bleeding or redness in your saliva is normal. If your mouth rapidly fills with blood, place a gauze pad over the surgical site. For 30 minutes, bite down on it with pressure. If the bleeding persists call our office. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.

Swelling

It’s normal to experience swelling after an impacted tooth is exposed. You can minimize swelling by applying an ice pack or a plastic bag or hand towel filled with ice on the side of your face. For the first 36 hours after surgery, continuously apply the ice as much as possible.

Pain

Take pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.

Moderate pain – Take one or two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol) every three to four hours. If you prefer or Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) take two to three 200 mg tablets every three to four hours.

Severe pain – Take the prescribed medication as directed.

Diet

  • On the day of surgery, drink plenty of fluids and eat soft food.
  • Avoid hot liquids and hot food.
  • Return to a normal diet as soon as possible, unless otherwise directed.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to proper healing. The day after surgery, thoroughly clean your mouth after each mean.  Brush your teeth. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue to use the salt water rinse until healing is complete.

Activity

  • Immediately after surgery, keep physical activity to a minimum.
  • Avoid vigorous exercise.
  • If throbbing or bleeding occurs during exercise, stop exercising.
  • Your normal nourishment intake is reduced, so exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.