ORAL SURGERY & PERIODONTICS BLOG

THE FIRST 24 HOURS

The first 24 hours will probably not contain much oral hygiene. We recommend that you don’t rinse, spit, or try to brush or floss near the extraction site just yet. You’ll want to protect that very sensitive area where your tooth once was and ensure that it is able to begin healing without disruption.

 

 

AFTER 24 HOURS

After the first day or so, it will be time to ease back into your regular routine. We generally encourage our patients to use a salt water rinse 2-3 times each day. You also can floss and brush, but you will probably want to avoid the teeth adjacent to the extraction site for a few days.

After one week following surgery, rinse gently with salt water at least once a day. Healing will occur more rapidly when good oral hygiene is observed.

PATIENTS WHO HAVE DENTURES

Patients who have dentures inserted immediately after surgery should not remove their dentures until they have seen their dentist, which will normally occur within 48 hours, or unless otherwise instructed. Rinsing with iced salt water, with the dentures in place, several times a day helps maintain good oral hygiene.

---

Slowly but surely you will be able to ease back into a completely normal hygiene routine. There’s no need to rush or push your mouth more than it’s ready to. Allow yourself time to heal, and you’ll soon find that your routine is just as it should be.

If you are worried about how to transition from healing to a regular routine, read our post-operative instructions and don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team!