Care Following Dental Surgery

Immediate care when leaving the practice

  1. Remove gauze 1 hour after extraction. If the area is still bleeding re-pack with gauze provided. Bite gently down on this and remove in 1 hour. Repeat if still bleeding.
  2. Pain relief may be given to you at the appointment if not when pack is removed take (Nurofen/Panadol) every 4 hours for the day/evening of the extraction and next day as needed.

Healing after surgery

Healing is usually a quick process without complications. The mouth cannot be sterilized and there is always a risk of infection of the oral wound. The most common complications which can occur are pain, swelling, bleeding and infection. There are a few simple rules that can be followed to prevent these complications.

Normal healing

Following your oral surgery, the anaesthetic effect may continue for some hours. During this period, you may experience a feeling of discomfort and swelling. Some pain can be expected, due to the fact that tissues have been disturbed during the surgery. Slight bleeding may occur which is just enough to discolour the saliva for a few hours. These effects vary from person to person however; there should be continued improvement until healing is complete.

Guidelines for care following dental surgery

The most important feature of the healing wound is the blood clot which seals the wound, prevents infection and aids in the formation of new tissues.

Do’s and don’ts

  • DON’T rinse and spit for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • DON’T lie down flat. Relax but keep the head elevated on the day of the extraction.
  • DON’T bite or suck a numb lip, cheek or tongue whilst the local anaesthetic is still acting. Take special care with young children.
  • DO avoid excessive activity for about 24 hrs
  • DO brush teeth but do not brush the socket
  • DO avoid smoking or drinking alcohol as it will delay healing
  • DO eat soft foods such as soft-boiled eggs, chopped meat or cheese, custards, milk or soup etc (24 hours)
  • DO chew on the other side of your mouth
  • DO rinse your mouth gently with lukewarm salt water (can continue for 2-3 days)

What to do if you experience any of the following

Pain

We recommend nurofen or paracetemol for moderate pain control. Take 2 tablets in ½ hr, and then take 2 tablets every four hours. Do not apply the drug to the wound itself. If pain persists or worsens, you should contact or return to the surgery where you were treated.

Swelling

Some swelling or difficulty in opening your mouth is common, but it should begin to subside after a day or two. If swelling persists, return to the surgery where you were treated.

Infection

Continued pain, swelling or raised temperature may indicate infection. Infection may spread or, at least, seriously delay healing. You should return to the surgery for advice.

Bleeding

Continued bleeding (after the first 6 hours) is not normal. Firstly, remove any excessive blood clots from the mouth, then apply a rolled bandage or small folded handkerchief to the wound and keep it on wound area under pressure with your jaws firmly closed on it. The cloth must be clean and damp when placed. Sit down and maintain pressure on the area for at least 10 minutes. If bleeding cannot be stopped by this method contact your dentist. After hours, report to the casualty department or your nearest general hospital.