The following guidelines will help you ensure the quickest healing time after an extraction.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at the office (425) 776-3352

Day of extraction-

• Apply ice packs or frozen vegetables to the outside of your face over the surgical site in 10 min intervals to minimize swelling for the first 24 hours, do not ice the area after 24 hours.
• Continue biting on sterile gauze 20-30 min after appt to keep bleeding to a minimum. When removed, lightly tinged pink gauze is normal. If bleeding continues, sit upright with head elevated slightly higher than the heart. You may also soak a teabag in cool water and once softened, bite onto it for 30-60 min.
• Begin applying a dime size amount of StellaLife gel gently onto the site with a Q-tip 3x/day
• AVOID rinsing, spitting, smoking or sucking through a straw. These can affect healing by dislodging the blood clot that forms in the extraction site.
• If provided with a protective retainer, wear your retainer all day and night even when eating and drinking, remove only to rinse the retainer and gently brush your teeth.

Pain medication options

Ibuprofen 600 mg every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 3200 mg per day.
Tylenol 500 mg every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 4000 mg per day.
Alternate between Ibuprofen and Tylenol every 4-6 hours
If the above is not adequate, you may combine Ibuprofen and Tylenol at the above doses every 8 hours.  The 2 medications together are more effective than narcotics to control pain.

Homeopathic Remedies

ARNICA 200c for pain and swelling.  3 Pellets= 1 dose, take 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days.  SYMPHYTUM 30x is best.  Take 3 times a day for 3 days.  Wait one week.  Then 1 day a week take 3 doses until healed.  (Promotes healing of the bone).RUTA 30c. Place 3 pellets in an 8 oz marked bottle of water until dissolved.  Take ½ tsp, 3 times a day for 7 days.  Keep the bottle for future use, stored away from strong smells, alcanfor, spices, perfumes, etc.  (Helps with inflammatory conditions)

• Resume eating and drinking with caution especially until after the anesthetic has worn off. Eat softer foods- overcooked rice/pasta, yogurt, pudding, scrambled eggs, soups, pudding etc.  Avoid foods that require lots of chewing, are spicy/acidic or have small particles- nuts, seeds etc.NO alcohol (for 2 weeks) or carbonated beverages.  Stay hydrated, water is best.
• Rest and take it easy. No exercising, heavy lifting or overexertion.
• If you were given a prescription for antibiotics, take as prescribed and finish the entire course.
• Do NOT blow your nose for 4 weeks if the site is on the upper arch.

Day 2 post extraction-

• After 24 hours, switch from ice packs to warm, moist heat – 20 mins on 40 mins off.
• Use the red toothbrush ONLY to keep the extraction site and adjacent teeth free from food and plaque. It is normal to be swollen and tender but keeping the area clean will improve healing.  Everywhere else you may continue your normal oral hygiene routine.
• After 24 hours, you may “rinse” by placing water in your mouth, shaking your head slowly and gently letting the liquid fall out. DO NOT vigorously swish or spit.  Alternate between warm salt, water rinse (½ tsp per 8 oz of water) and the Stellalife rinse several times a day.
• Continue the use of the StellaLife gel until tube is complete.

1 week post extraction

• Depending on how you feel, you may slowly resume low-impact activities. Listen to your body and don’t overdo.
• Consume grass fed collagen (supplement powder, bone broth, etc) to improve healing.

Dr. Isabel Perez