Heim and Johnson DDS Dentists in Glenwood Springs

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Pre-medication:

Some of our patients require a dose of an antibiotic before a dental procedure. Please check with your physician prior to your appointment if you have had any of the following procedures or conditions: joint replacement,heart valve replacement, or heart conditions. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call our office.
Some of our patients prefer to have an oral sedative prior to treatment. Please discuss this option with your dentist prior to treatment.

Post-op Instructions:

Instructions Following a Tooth Extraction

Bleeding- Place a moist gauze square over the extraction site, keeping gentle but firm pressure over the area. Change the gauze as needed (about every 20 minutes), until the bleeding stops. A moist tea bag can also be used instead of gauze. If the bleeding persists or increases, call our office immediately. Slight bleeding may occur up to two days after the extraction. Relax and avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 hours.
DO NOT: Smoke, suck through a straw, spit vigorously or irritate the area with your tongue or fingers. Any of these actions could cause the blood clot to dislodge or break down, prolonging the healing process. If severe pain develops 2 days to 2 weeks after surgery and is accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth, it is a sign that the blood clot has broken down and has become infected (a dry socket). If this should occur, return to our office so that we can eliminate the pain and promote healing.
Swelling- Some swelling and bruising may occur after the surgery. By applying an ice pace- 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off- for 6 hours after surgery, this will decrease the swelling and pain.
Rinsing- Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Twenty-four hours following the procedure, you may gently start to rinse your mouth with mouthwash or salt water (1 teaspoon salt to one cup of warm water). Gently swish the solution around affected area, and carefully spit. Do this every 3-4 hours and especially after you eat, for one week.
Medication- Some discomfort may occur after an extraction. A non-aspirin pain reliever, such as Ibuprofen, should be sufficient. If not, a stronger medication can be prescribed. If an antibiotic is prescribed, take them until they are gone, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Do not take any medication on an empty stomach to avoid nausea.
Food- A light diet with plenty of water/juice is important. Eat soft foods for the next couple of days, like mashed potatoes, ice cream, yogurt and soft soups. Avoid eating anything with seeds, nuts, or hard foods like chips. Also avoid drinking carbonated or hot beverages. Chewing should be done away from the extraction site to avoid food particles from packing into the healing socket.
Oral Hygiene- Continue to brush and floss as normal, being extra gentle near the extraction site.
Chips- While healing, you may notice small bony fragments working their way through the gums. We can easily remove them if they bother you.