Post-surgical instructions following tooth extraction include which statement?

• A. Apply cold packs for the first 24 hours, with 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
• B. Rinse with warm saltwater every hour for the first 24 hours.
• C. Use heat packs to increase blood flow in the socket for the first 24 hours.
• D. Avoid all movement of the jaw for 48 hours.

Answer: (A)

Cold therapy in the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction helps reduce swelling and pain by constricting blood vessels and limiting bleeding. Keeping it to about 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off prevents skin damage while you control the inflammatory response.

Rinsing with warm saltwater every hour would disrupt the blood clot and delay healing, which isn’t recommended in the initial day. You’d typically avoid vigorous rinsing right after surgery and reserve gentle saline rinses for after the first day.

Using heat packs would increase blood flow and swelling during this early period, counteracting the goal of clot stability and reduced inflammation.

Avoiding all jaw movement for 48 hours is unnecessary; gentle function and normal use are typically encouraged to prevent stiffness and promote healing.