Bite on gauze for 2 hours to stop bleeding. If bleeding persists bite on another gauze or tea bag for a few more hours until bleeding stops. Expect some bleeding and oozing for 24 hours. If swelling occurs place an ice bag (or chopped ice in a towel) on swelling site. Alternate applying the ice for 10 minutes and leaving ice off for 10 minutes. Do not over ice.

Drink plenty of liquids for the first 24 hours to dilute any swallowed blood, which can cause nausea. Taking any medication on an empty stomach can also cause nausea.

For the first 24 hours DO NOT smoke, drink through a straw, consume alcohol, soda or hot liquids. Do not blow your nose or spit excessively. All these things can cause the blood clot over the surgery site to dislodge and pain may occur.

DO maintain a soft diet for the remainder of the day (warm soup, ice cream, milk shakes, Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc.). Tomorrow morning start rinsing gently with warm salt water rinses every 4 hours for 2 days. (1/4 teaspoon salt to 8 oz. water)

Whenever you are given antibiotics you must take them as directed and until they are GONE so that infection won't take over. Remember when you do not finish a prescription for antibiotics you risk becoming immune to that antibiotic.

Dry socket is a condition, which occurs, when the sockets where the teeth were pulled become dry and extremely painful. Almost all dry sockets occur among smokers due to the action of inhaling which can draw out the blood clot, thus stopping the healing process. Another common cause is not eating or consuming liquids after surgery. Nutrition is extremely important to the healing process, and we recommend you eat and have plenty of liquids after surgery. Carnation Instant Breakfast drink is an easy source of nutrition.