What should I do following a tooth extraction?

What to do following an Extraction

Please keep your mouth clean and healthy, it will help it to heal much more quickly.

On the day of treatment

1.      Keep biting on the pack over the socket for 30 minutes.

2.      DO NOT rinse your mouth as this can dislodge the blood clot and lead to infection.

3.      You can eat and drink but avoid particularly hot, hard or chewy food/drinks.

4.      Clean your teeth before you go to bed, but avoid the extraction site.

5.      After the anaesthetic wears off, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen by following the instructions on the packet.

Should bleeding occur, bite firmly on the gauze that you have been provided with for at least 30 minutes whilst sitting quietly.

Things to avoid

The following things will encourage the socket to bleed, so we recommend you avoid them wherever possible.

1. Smoking for as long as you can after an extraction, preferably at least the rest of the day.

2. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.

3. Physical exercise for the rest of the day.

4. Avoid rinsing your mouth for 24 hours

On the day after treatment

After 24 hours, rinse your mouth several times a day with hot salty water: take a glass of hot (not boiling) water and add one teaspoon of salt. Take some solution into your mouth and gently hold it over the socket for at least one minute, then discard. Continue for 2 to 3 days.

If after a couple of days the socket becomes painful, you may have a “dry socket”. This is when there is a little or no blood clot in the socket and it becomes infected. It is important to contact the practice as we may need to dress the socket or prescribe antibiotics.

Should you experience any problems or concerns do not hesitate to contact the practice for advice on 01530 510533.