I had a tooth pulled today,and lost my instruction sheet.Am I suppose to rinse with warm salt water?When?Thank

Question

What about swelling,ice or heat?

Answer 1

Here you go

POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS



DO NOT DISTURB THE WOUND: In doing so you may invite irritation, infection and/or bleeding. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours and keep anything sharp from entering the wound (i.e. eating utensils etc. ).
DO NOT SMOKE FOR 12 HOURS:: Smoking will promote bleeding and interfere with healing.
BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery.
MOUTH WASH:Avoid all rinsing for 24 hours after extraction. This is to insure the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper wound healing. Disturbance of this clot can lead to increased bleeding or the loss of the blood clot. If the clot is lost, a painful condition called dry socket may occur. You may use warm salt water or mild antiseptic rinses after 24 hours only if prescribed.
DO NOT SPIT OR SUCK THROUGH A STRAW: This will promote bleeding and may dislodge the blood clot causing a dry socket.
BLEEDING:When you leave the office, you will be given verbal instructions regarding the control of postoperative bleeding. A rolled up gauze pad will be placed on the extraction site and you will be asked to change this dressing every 20 minutes or so depending on the amount of bleeding that is occurring. It is normal for some blood to ooze from the area of surgery. We will also give you a package of gauze to take with you to use at home if the bleeding should continue. Should you need to use the gauze at home, remember to roll it into a ball large enough to cover the wound. Hold firmly in place, by biting or with finger pressure, for about 20-30 minutes. If bleeding still continues, you may fold a tea bag in half and bite down on it. Tea contains Tannic Acid , a styptic, which may help to reduce the bleeding.
PAIN:Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Analgesic tablets ( i.e. Aspirin, Tylenol etc. ) may be taken under your dentist's direction. Prescription medication, which may have been given to you, should also be taken as directed. If pain continues, call your dentist.
SWELLING: To prevent swelling, apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of your face in the area of the extraction during the first 12 hours. Apply alternately, 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off, for an hour or longer if necessary.
DIET:Eat normal regular meals as soon as you are able after surgery. Cold, soft food such as ice cream or yogurt may be the most comfortable for the first day. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids.

REPORT ANY UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES IMMEDIATELY

Answer 2

Yes - rinse slowly and carefully with warm salt water. Ice for swelling, not heat!

Answer 3

Don't rinse tonight; wait till morning. Rinse three or four times a day for the next week with warm (not hot) salt water. Swish ever so gently; don't create a vortex in your mouth! Easy does it.

Answer 4

yes rinse with warm salt water ever couple hours. I used an ice pack a couple times for about ten minutes each time.

Answer 5

By now the antibiotics should have kicked in ,but rinsing with salt water kills some bacteria and the warmth brings additional blood to the area which gets rid of inflammation products . Warm commercial mouth wash will have the same effect,and even warm water of itself will ease discomfort.

Answer 6

Don't rinse until the next morning or it might dislodge some blood clots and make it bleed again. Frozen peas in a baggy wrapped with a thin towel applied to the side of your face may help.

If you can't can't get it to stop bleeding then take a normal teabag with tea in it (no herbal tea) and place it between your gums where it is bleeding until it stops bleeding. The tannin in the tea makes the blot clot.

Of course take the medication if prescribed.

Answer 7

yes rinse with salt the next day
ice for swelling

Answer 8

I agree with all the answers that say NOT TO RINSE until the next day. You don't want to do anything to dislodge the newly-formed blood clot. I'm just adding another vote in the "don't rinse yet" column.

Answer 9

when i had teeth pulled, i never had to do anything with salt water. you just have to keep that gauze in your mouth for a long time so you don't get a blood clot, and it helps if you put a heating pad on your cheek on that side of your mouth if your mouth is still sore.

Answer 10

Yes, probably every two to four hours. Use ice packs for swelling. Call your dentist.