Post Extraction Instructions
After your tooth has been removed, you will be given a piece of soft padding (gauze) to bite on to stop the bleeding. Please bite down firmly for 30 minutes.
If you have had general anaesthesia or sedation, you will need to arrange somebody to drive you home. Try to have a friend or relative stay with you until the next day. Both sedation and general anaesthesia temporarily affect your co-ordination and reasoning skills, so you must not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign any legal documents until your dentist tells you nit is safe to do so. This will be at least until the next day.
Wait until the local anaesthetic has worn off before having any hot foods or drink – you might burn your mouth or chew the inside of your cheeks while it’s still numb. Once you regain some feeling, stick to lukewarm, soft foods and try not to chew in the part of your mouth where the tooth has been removed from.
Try not to drink alcohol or smoke for the first 24 hours after the extraction – this may cause further bleeding.
It’s best not to rinse out your mouth or do any exercise for the first few hours after the extraction. This is because any blood clot that may of formed could be disturbed and the bleeding could start again. After the first few hours, it can be helpful to rinse out your mouth with salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) a few times a day.
Recovering from a tooth extraction
It’s important to keep your mouth as clean as possible so continue brushing your teeth as normal after the extraction but keep your toothbrush away from the healing wound for the first couple of days. If you had stitched placed during the procedure, you may need to go back to your dentist to have them removed. Otherwise you probably won’t need a follow-up appointment.
What are the risks?
Tooth extraction is a common procedure and generally safe. However, in order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you will need to be aware of the possible side effects and the risks of complications.
Side Effects:
You may have some discomfort and swelling for a few days afterwards, and your jaw may feel a little stiff. If you need pain relief, try over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the accompanying consumer medicines information leaflet and ask you pharmacist for advice. Some slight bleeding is normal in the first couple of days after having a tooth removed. Rinse the excess out of your mouth and then bite down on a clean pad of material such as a handkerchief. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 to 30 minutes, please contact your dentist for advice.
Complications:
Contact your dentist immediately if you experience the following after the procedure:
Prolonged bleeding
Swelling
Sever pain
High temperature (fever)
These may be the signs of an infection or other complications. Call us on 03 9583 1015
or Book ONLINE
One of the most common problem that can occur after tooth extraction is called a dry socket. This is when there’s no blood clot so the tooth socket doesn’t heal as quickly as expected. This usually happens within two or four days after the extraction and extremely painful. Go back to your dentist who will rinse the area, put a dressing on it and may give antibiotics. Dry socket is more common after extraction of the lower molar teeth, if you’re taking the contraceptive pill or smoke. The exact risks are specific to you and differ for every person, so we haven’t included statistics here.
