Where your tooth was is now a big hole in the bone – a blood clot forms in that hole.  That blood clot needs to stay there for the bone to heal. If the blood clot comes out, you get infection inside the bone – this is very painful!! Therefore, at all costs, protect that blood clot and prevent it from coming out.

How to do this:

  • Bite on the cotton roll that I placed after extraction for at least 30 minutes

  • Eat on the other side for at least a week.

  • Leave the extraction site alone – try keeping your tongue away and don’t go near there with a tooth brush or anything else.

  • Do not rinse for 4 days – even after brushing!  Spit out gently and do not rinse.

  • Do not use any pain medication that contains Aspirin (e.g. Disprin or Grandpa). Aspirin makes you bleed and then the clot comes out leading to infection) .

  • Take pain medication before the life comes back – it is an open wound and I did apply force on the bone to get the tooth out – it will be painful for 2-3 days.  Medication containing Paracetamol (Panado) or Ibuprofen (Neurofen) are ideal.

  • After at least 4 days, take 1 cup of lukewarm water and dissolve about 5 ml of salt in the water.  Very gently hold the saltwater over the extraction site – do not rinse vigorously!  Do this 2-3 times daily until it is fully healed.

  • If the pain is not getting better or starts to get worse and worse especially after the 3rd day after extraction, or if you have any questions! please phone the practice and make an appointment.

  • If you struggle with bleeding at home, take a normal tea bag (Rooibos tea will not work).  Make it a little bit wet and bite on it for 20 minutes.  Do this only if the site is actively bleeding, if not, just leave it alone.