As head of Novato Oral Surgery and Implantology in Novato, California, Dr. Mahr Elder builds on more than 16 years of practice experience. Dr. Mahr Elder draws on an in-depth knowledge of post-operative care and is the author of a peer-reviewed paper on pain medication after oral surgery.
If decay or injury has brought you to the point where you need a tooth extraction, you may have some concerns about controlling pain and keeping the surgical site sanitary after the procedure. Your dentist is likely to prescribe for you an analgesic for pain control, and you should take care to follow all instructions that come along with this medication. Over-the-counter medications can provide additional relief if you still have discomfort, and care should be taken to follow the instructions for these medications as well.
A cold pack, applied to the outside of the face, can help to relieve pain as well as swelling on the first day after your procedure. After 24 hours have passed, you may gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to achieve the same effect. You can also minimize discomfort throughout your recovery by avoiding such irritants as smoking or the use of drinking straws.
