Prior to your tooth extraction procedure, it may be necessary to arrange for a ride to and from the office if dental sedation is administered. We recommend that this be someone you trust, like a friend or member of your family, to ensure you get home safely.  After the procedure, it is normal to experience some pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain-relieving medication like Ibuprofen, or possibly prescription pain medication,  along with application of ice to the swollen or tender area for fifteen to twenty-minute intervals, is usually sufficient in managing the pain and swelling. If pain medication or antibiotics are prescribed following your tooth extraction, take as prescribed until your prescription is done. During the initial healing period, it is also important to avoid spitting, using straws, and/or smoking. It is also recommended that you follow a soft food diet for the first few days following your procedure and slowly reintroduce harder foods as the healing process progresses.

One of the biggest complications that can develop following the extraction of a tooth is a dry socket, which forms when the area where the extraction occurred fails to form a proper blood clot or that blood clot is disturbed in some way. Not following aftercare instructions, such as smoking too soon after a tooth extraction, will significantly increase your risk of developing a dry socket, which will extend how long the healing process will take. Dry sockets typically present around three to four days following the tooth extraction. Most patients who develop dry sockets will begin feeling throbbing pain that is moderate initially, but increases in severity. Oftentimes, patients will also notice a bad taste in their mouth right before the dry socket presents itself. In most cases, dry sockets will heal naturally; however, if you have developed a dry socket and feel you need assistance with pain relief, contact our office, and we will help any way we can.