912-354-9541
Needing a partial, dentures, or having multiple teeth that have suffered from advanced tooth decay might require multiple tooth extractions. A multiple extraction procedure is usually an outpatient procedure. In many cases your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon that can put you under sedation to help you be more comfortable.
If you will be sedated you might want to arrange to have a friend or family member drive you home. It might take you a few days to get completely back on your feet after multiple extractions. The incisions might bleed a little bit for the first few days. Placing sterile gauze over the area to help absorb the blood and biting down lightly usually helps.
While you are recovering you will want to stick to a soft foods diet with lukewarm beverages. Even once you are back on your feet it’s a good idea to try to avoid anything strenuous for at least a week. You should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages. Try to take sips from a mug or glass. The suction from drinking through a straw can potentially dislodge a blood clot from a healing incision.
It’s very important to stop all tobacco use for at least two weeks after an extraction. Tobacco products irritate gum tissue. This increases healing time and can potentially lead to infection. You should consider talking to your doctor a few weeks in advance about a tobacco cessation program. Try to choose a tobacco cessation program that doesn’t involve the use of nicotine gum or lozenges. These can also irritate gum tissue.
Your dentist or oral surgeon might prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication to help with pain management during recovery.
If you think you might need a tooth extracted or have questions about how to prepare for an extraction please feel free to call us at 912-354-9541 to schedule an appointment.