Comprehensive diagnosis & imaging – We identified the exact source of pain and reviewed your choices in plain language so you could decide what’s best today and long-term.

Comfort-first local anesthesia – Targeted numbing for effective pain control with the fewest injections necessary.

Atraumatic tooth removal – Gentle elevation/forceps techniques to protect surrounding bone and gums, which supports faster, more comfortable healing.

Thorough site cleansing – Removal of infected/granulation tissue and copious sterile saline irrigation to lower the chance of flare-ups.

Socket preservation bone graft – A Foundation® collagen plug (bovine-derived) placed in the socket to support bone volume and shape where a tooth was removed, keeping future options (implant/bridge/denture) open.

Precision closure – Chromic gut sutures to stabilize tissues and protect the graft so eating and cleaning are easier during the first days.

Same-day smile planning – Digital scan taken so an interim partial (“flipper”) can restore appearance and basic function while you heal.

Personalized recovery plan – Written and verbal instructions, safe pain-control strategy, and clear “red-flag” guidance so you’re never guessing at home.

Safety & documentation – Sterile technique; single-use barriers; material lot numbers recorded; photos/radiographs saved.

After an extraction, bone naturally shrinks. The collagen scaffold we placed helps preserve volume so future replacement looks and functions better. While these steps improve predictability, no treatment can be guaranteed.

The first hour

Bite firmly on the gauze pad for 45–60 minutes. Don’t peek.

A light pink ooze is normal for 24–48 hours.

If gauze saturates: replace with fresh folded gauze and bite another 45–60 minutes. A damp plain tea bag is okay if advised.

Bleeding control (first 24–48 hours)

Keep head elevated; rest quietly.

No spitting, rinsing, or straws for 24 hours. Swallow normally.

A little on the pillow is okay; continuous heavy bleeding is not → call us.

Swelling & bruising

Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours; bruising can last a week.

Cold packs today: 20 minutes on / 20 off while awake.

Warm compresses after 48 hours if you prefer.

Call if swelling gets worse after day 3, becomes hot/very firm, or you develop fever.

Mouth care (protect the clot)

First 24 hours: don’t rinse vigorously, spit hard, or brush the socket; brush other teeth gently.

After 24 hours:

Rinse gently with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in 8 oz water) 2–3×/day, especially after meals.

Resume normal brushing/flossing away from the site; be gentle near stitches.

Lower molars only: starting day 3, if you were given a syringe, gently irrigate the socket after meals to remove food debris—unless we told you not to because of a graft/membrane.

Pain control (only use what your provider approved)

• Many patients do well with ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen:

• Example (if appropriate): Ibuprofen 600–800 mg every 6–8 hrs with food and/or Acetaminophen 500–650 mg every 6 hrs.

• Maximum daily: 3,200 mg ibuprofen; 3,000 mg acetaminophen.

• If you were given stronger medicine: no driving/alcohol/sedatives; store securely.

• Sudden worsening after initial relief can suggest dry socket → call us.

• Other Medications

• Antibiotics(only if prescribed): take exactly as directed and finish the course.

• Mouth rinse(if prescribed): use as directed; don’t swallow.

• Call right away for rash, hives, facial/lip/tongue swelling, or severe diarrhea (ER for breathing/swallowing trouble).

Activity

No heavy lifting, cardio, or bending for 48–72 hours.

Avoid pressure changes (forceful nose blowing, wind instruments) early on.

Eating & drinking

Today: cool, soft foods (yogurt, smoothies without a straw, eggs, lukewarm soup, mashed potatoes, applesauce).

Next few days: soft foods; chew on the opposite side.

Avoid very hot/spicy foods, alcohol (with pain meds), chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn, and tough bread/meat initially.

Absolutely avoid nicotine

No smoking, vaping, or nicotine for at least 5–7 days (longer is better). Nicotine dramatically increases the risk of dry socket, infection, and graft failure. Choosing to smoke against advice means you accept those risks.

Stitches (sutures)

Dissolving sutures usually loosen/fall out in 3–14 days—normal.

If we said they need removal, keep your appointment.

Don’t pull or cut stitches yourself.

If you received a socket bone graft

A Foundation® collagen plug or other graft was placed.

Do not pull the lip/cheek to look; do not touch with fingers or tongue.

No straws or strong suction for 7 days.

You may notice tiny grains/particles—small amounts can be normal.

If a membrane was used and you see a white edge or it peeks out, call us.

If your case involved the sinus (upper back teeth)

For 10–14 days (or as directed):

Don’t blow your nose. If you must sneeze, open your mouth—don’t pinch your nose.

Avoid straws, smoking, and forceful rinsing.

Use decongestants/sprays only as directed.

Call immediately if you notice fluid/air passing between mouth and nose, persistent nosebleeds, or sinus pressure with leakage from the site.

If you will wear an interim partial (flipper)

Wear/avoid wearing exactly as we instructed (varies by case).

If allowed, do not let it press on the graft or stitches.

Expect sore spots—call for an adjustment rather than trimming it yourself.

Red-flag symptoms — call us or go to urgent care/ER

Fever ≥ 100.4°F (38°C) with worsening symptoms

Rapidly increasing swelling, eye or throat involvement

Difficulty breathing or swallowing; drooling you can’t control

Uncontrolled bleeding despite firm pressure with fresh gauze for 60 minutes

Pus, foul taste/odor that is worsening

Severe pain not improved by approved medicines

Persistent numbness beyond 24 hours or new facial weakness

▶ What is a “bone graft” and why was it placed?

After an extraction, the socket can collapse as it heals. A socket preservation graft (often a mineralized bone material with a collagen plug/membrane, e.g., a collagen “Foundation” plug) helps maintain bone volume for future options like implants or bridges. The graft material is gradually remodeled into your own bone over time.

▶ What will I feel in the area?

Mild swelling/tenderness is common for 48–72 hours. You may feel a soft spongey plug (collagen) or occasionally a gritty grain (if particulate was used). A few surface granules coming out the first week is usually okay—don’t pick at the site.

▶ How long does it take to heal? When can I get an implant?

Gums generally close over in 2–3 weeks. The graft hardens over 6–12 weeks, and full bony maturation typically takes 3–6 months. Implant timing depends on the site and your healing—your dentist will confirm at re-eval.

▶ Do I need antibiotics?

Only if your dentist prescribed them. If prescribed, take exactly as directed and finish the course unless told to stop.

▶ I’m still oozing a little—normal?

Yes, light pink saliva is normal for 24 hours. If it bleeds, place firm gauze pressure for 30–45 minutes without checking. You can also use a moist tea bag (tannins help). Call if bleeding stays brisk after 2 pressure cycles.

▶ What about “dry socket”?

Risk is highest 48–72 hours after extraction. To reduce risk: no smoking/vaping for 72 hours, no straws for 48 hours, don’t spit forcefully, don’t rinse vigorously the first 24 hours, sleep elevated the first night. If pain sharply worsens after day 2, call us.

▶ My stitches fell out—should I worry?

Many sutures are resorbable and loosen around 5–10 days. If a stitch falls out but the site looks closed and comfortable, it’s usually fine. If the wound opens, bleeds, or feels sharp, call us.

▶ A white/yellow patch is on the socket—is that infection?

Not necessarily. White tissue can be normal early healing or the collagen plug/membrane. Watch for fever, foul taste/drainage, rapidly increasing pain or swelling—those need a call.

▶ What if I can see the membrane?

A small, smooth white film may be a membrane edge and can be okay. Don’t tug it. Call if a large piece lifts or it traps food.

▶ Can I wear my denture or flipper?

Often yes, after an adjustment to keep pressure off the graft. Do not let the appliance rub the grafted area—this can cause failure. Use as directed and return for relief if it sore-spots.

▶ What can I eat and drink?

First 24–48 hours: soft, cool-to-warm foods (eggs, yogurt, smoothies with a spoon). Avoid seeds, nuts, chips, spicy/acidic foods, alcohol, and very hot liquids. Advance your diet as comfortable after day 2.

▶ When can I brush and rinse?

Today: Gently brush other areas. Avoid the socket.

After 24 hours: Begin warm salt-water rinses (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4×/day—let it roll, don’t swish hard. Brush nearby teeth gently; keep the rest of your mouth clean.

▶ I’m congested/sneezing after an upper molar extraction—what do I do?

If your graft was near the sinus, follow sinus precautions for 7–10 days: don’t blow your nose, sneeze with your mouth open, avoid flying/diving if advised, and use any decongestants only as directed by your provider.

▶ Can I exercise?

Skip strenuous activity for 24 hours; then resume gradually. Heavy exertion early can re-start bleeding.

How to reach us

Prime Emergency Dental

(425) 864-7600

prime@primeemergencydental.com

If you can’t reach us and have an urgent problem, go to the nearest emergency department.