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empty dental chairSt. Leonards Square Dental Care Post-Operative Instructions

Care Instructions After Extraction or Oral Surgery

What you should expect after Extraction and Oral Surgery:

  • Due to the use of local anaesthetic, your lips may be numbed. Please do not bite your lips. The numbness will wear off in around 3 hours.
  • After extraction, there is generally minor bleeding which may last for a couple of hours depending on the situation.
  • Symptoms like pain and swelling should be expected which may last for 2 to 3 days.
  • Place the gauze pad over the bleeding area and firmly apply pressure for 30 minutes. The pressure helps to stop the bleeding.
  • If there is still excessive bleeding after 30 minutes, use the sterile gauze pad supplied, and keep biting onto the gauze firmly for another 30 minutes.
  • Pain killers are recommended for the first day to relieve any pain arise. Take Panadol or Nurofen if necessary.
  • To reduce swelling, apply ice packs to the affected area for every 15 minutes for at least 1-2 hours (the longer the better).
  • You can eat or drink as soon as the bleeding stops, but preferably using opposite side of your mouth and minimize the disruption on the wound.
  • Get more rest.
  • Do not drink alcohol for a week, as it will cause bleeding and can cause serious complications and delay the healing process.
  • Do not smoke for 2-3 days after the extraction. Chemicals in cigarettes will delay the healing process and increases the potential risk of infection.
  • Do not spit for the first 24 hours as this can dislodge the blood clot and cause a ‘dry socket’.
  • Avoid touching the wound with your tongue or hands and using the opposite side of your mouth to chew/eat for the first 24 hours.
  • Avoid exercise for the first 24 hours as this will cause a rise in blood pressure which will prolong bleeding.
  • Avoid hot drinks/hot food for the first 24 hours, as this may cause the wound to bleed.
  • Avoid spicy foods for a few days or a week after surgery.
  • Avoid rinsing your mouth and gargling water or mouthwash for the first 24 hours as this may dislodge the blood clot and cause further complications.

Next Day Care

  • Gently rinse, spit and gargle with salt water the day following surgery by using one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water for twice a day for a week
  • Cleaning the mouth after eating and before bed is very important to minimise the possibility of infection.
  • If any problems arise after the surgery, please contact us on 02 9066 0100.
  • If your sutures are still present after 2 weeks, your dentist can remove them for you.

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Post-Operative Care | 02 9066 0100