After Impacted Teeth

Dr. Patrick Morrissey will provide you with surgical instructions to help you recover following your treatment for impacted teeth in Lake Oswego, Oregon. If you have any questions or would like to make a follow-up appointment with our experienced dentist, please contact Boones Ferry Dental at 503-699-6699.

Immediately Following Impacted Tooth Exposure

• Keep a gauze pack in place with firm pressure over the area for 30 minutes. If there is still bleeding, replace with new gauze and repeat.
• Do not rinse or chew vigorously.
• Maintain a liquid or soft diet for the first 24 hours after treatment.
• Do not suck through straws.
• Avoid hard, crunchy and spicy foods.
• Take pain medication before anesthesia wears off.
• Restrict your activities the day of surgery and return to normal activities slowly.
• Use ice packs or cold compresses on the outside of your face over the treated area for the first 24 hours in 15-20 minute intervals to manage swelling and discomfort.

Bleeding After Your Procedure

Some slight bleeding and redness in your saliva is normal after an impacted tooth is exposed. If there is excess bleeding we recommend:

• Gently wiping the area to remove old clots before placing new gauze over the area and biting down firmly for 30-40 minutes. Repeat every 30 minutes until bleeding stops.
• If bleeding persists try biting on a cold-water-moistened tea bag for 30-40 minutes. Slowly remove the tea bag and leave the area alone.
• If bleeding continues, call our office for further instructions.

Managing Swelling

Some swelling is normal. The extent of swelling varies and depends on the individual patient. Most swelling will reach its maximum two to three days following your procedure.

You can decrease swelling with the immediate use of ice packs or cold compress in the first 24 hours, applying the compresses at 20 minute intervals.

We also recommend that you sit upright and do not lie flat on the first day after your procedure.

Other Instructions

• Use all pain medications, antibiotics and other prescribed medications as directed.
• Do not rinse the day of surgery.
• You may begin rinsing your teeth with warm salt water the day after the surgery following each meal.
• Begin brushing your teeth again the day after surgery, but avoid the surgical site.
• Maintain a soft diet and progress gradually back to a regular diet as you feel comfortable.
• Avoid smoking or the use of other tobacco products during recovery.

If you have any questions, please contact our office and speak with our dentist and team.