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Extraction sites generally heal over within 7 days following surgery. Healing may be delayed in smokers and patients with medical conditions.
First 24 hours after extraction
Numbness
- Numbness of your lip or palate may persist for several hours after the procedure.
- Avoid eating and drinking until the anaesthetic has worn off to prevent injury from an accidental biting yourself.
Bleeding
- Minor bleeding that results in a pinkish tinge to your saliva is normal and may occur for the first 24 hours after the extraction.
- If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:
- Place a piece of wet gauze (provided), over the surgery site.
- Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes.
- DO NOT chew on it
- Rest quietly with your head elevated.
If the bleeding continues, call the practice.
Pain
- If required, take pain medication in accordance with the instructions on the box (paracetamol)
- Avoid taking aspirin.
- If pain medication has been prescribed, take it as instructed by the practitioner / dentist.
- Notify the practice immediately of any problems that may arise from medications being taken.
Swelling
It is normal to experience some degree of swelling after an extraction. To reduce the swelling,
- Apply an ice pack over the face on the surgical site - wrap it in a tea towel first, DO NOT place the ice pack directly on the skin.
- Leave the covered ice pack on the face of the surgical site alternating between 20 minutes on the site, then 20 minutes off the site for the first 24 hours
- Once 24 hours since the surgery has passed, DO NOT use the ice pack.
Eating within the first 24 hours after surgery
- You should have only cold or lukewarm liquids and very soft cold or lukewarm food.
- Avoid eating on the surgical side.
Brushing and flossing within the first 24 hours after the surgery
- Avoid rinsing your mouth, and DO NOT use mouth rinse.
- Be careful brushing your teeth and avoid brushing on the surgical site.
The days after surgery
- If numbness doesn’t go away in 48 hours, call our practice immediately.
- rinse 3-4 times a day with half teaspoon salt in lukewarm water.
- DO NOT smoke for at least 48 hours.
- DO NOT exercise for at least 48 hours.
- Eat cold or lukewarm food for the first 24 hours, then food that is at room temperature for the next 24 hours.
- Avoid hard and spicy food.
- Avoid food with nuts, seeds, popcorn, etc, which may get lodged in the socket areas.
Sutures / stitches
- Sutures will resorb or fall out on their own usually 5-7 days after the surgery.
- If sutures need to be removed, your practitioner/dentist will schedule a follow up appointment with you.
If you experience constant and radiating pain 5-7 days after the surgery, call our practice immediately on 07 32297771.
