Irrigation Technique for cleaning sockets
After removal of wisdom teeth, a “hole” or socket may be present where the teeth used to be. These sockets can collect food which may delay the healing process. Irrigating your extraction sites helps get out bits of food to prevent infections. Dr. Burns will instruct you when it is safe to begin irrigating these sockets. When safe, please follow the guidelines below.
Use the oral syringe provided in your kit to irrigate (flush and clean out) the space where the wisdom teeth were. Saltwater solution or a prescribed mouthwash prepared as described below can be used as an irrigation solution.
Please call our office with any questions.
NOTE:
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Begin irrigating the extraction sites 1 WEEK following surgery.
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It may take 6–8 weeks for the extraction sites to close. Be diligent with flushing the areas.
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Extraction sites for upper teeth do not usually need to be flushed.
1. PREPARE THE IRRIGATION SOLUTION
Salt Water:
Fill a glass with 1 cup warm water. Add 1 teaspoon table salt and stir until dissolved.
If Prescribed a Mouth Rinse:
Fill a glass with ½ cup warm water. Add ½ cup of the prescribed mouth rinse (chlorhexidine). Stir.
2. FILL THE SYRINGE
Fill the syringe with the prepared solution.
3. IRRIGATE THE EXTRACTION SITES
Put the curved tip of the syringe directly into the space where the tooth was taken out. Squirt the plunger to flush.
Repeat on both lower sites.
4. BRUSH YOUR TEETH
Brush your teeth as usual, taking care near the extraction sites.
