Extraction Aftercare

It is normal to experience some pain/tenderness/swelling/bruising in the area where your tooth was removed and you may experience some difficulty opening your mouth. The tooth socket, where your tooth used to be, is now healing and a blood clot is forming. It is important to help this healing process as much as possible by adhering to the following advice:

For Today:

a. Rest. Limit physical activity. Do NOT undertake excessive effort or exercise.

b. Do NOT spit or rinse your mouth out vigorously.

c. Do NOT have anything too hot to eat or drink until any numbness has worn off.

d. Be careful not to chew your cheek/lip/tongue until any numbness has worn off.

Healing Tooth Socket.  Do NOT interfere with the tooth extraction socket, i.e. do not touch the tooth socket with your tongue or fingers so it can heal properly. Over the coming days/weeks, you may be able to feel the sharp edges of the tooth socket and small fragments of bone may work loose and come out of the tooth socket.

Mouth Rinse.  Starting tomorrow and for the next few days, rinse with warm salt-water **:

a.     Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

b.     Gently rinse for 30 seconds concentrating on the area around the tooth socket.

c.     Carry this out at least after every meal, to keep the tooth socket clean and help prevent infection.

Bleeding.  If bleeding occurs, sit down, relax and apply pressure to the tooth socket by firmly biting down on one of the gauze packs provided or a clean rolled handkerchief. If bleeding does not subside after 20 minutes, follow *. You may experience a little bleeding overnight, so may wish to place a towel over your bedsheets.

Swelling & Bruising.  You may experience some swelling and bruising. An ice pack wrapped in a soft tea towel held on your face can help minimise the swelling. Alternate 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

Pain.  Any symptoms should begin to reduce after 3-4 days. If you experience pain after 2-3 days which is getting worse, you may have an infection developing, if so follow *.

Medication.  If you have been prescribed any medication, take as directed and do not exceed the stated dose. If you have not been prescribed painkillers, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol should help to relieve any pain. You may wish to take some painkillers before the anaesthetic has worn off. Do NOT take Aspirin based medications as these can cause re-bleeding.

Eating & Drinking.  It is important to stay well-nourished and hydrated. Eat softer foods and avoid hard/crunchy foods that could get trapped in the tooth socket (e.g. seeds, nuts, crisps).

Oral Hygiene.  It is imperative you keep your tooth socket clean. You may brush most of your teeth as normal, but gentle brushing around the tooth socket.

Smoking.  Do NOT smoke tobacco products as this impairs the healing process and increases the chance of the tooth socket getting infected.

Additional Instructions. Your dentist may also advise you on the following:

• Sutures.  Any sutures should dissolve within 2-3 weeks. If they do not, follow *.

• Nose Blowing.  Avoid blowing your nose for 3 weeks. Also avoid any other activity that could increase the pressure in your nose/mouth e.g. blowing up a balloon.

*  Contact your dental professional/dental clinic for further advice

**  Alternatively use Chlorhexidine mouthwash as directed by your dentist