Instructions to Patients Following Extractions

Day of surgery

Avoid:

• Sucking or interfering with the wound.
• Hot drinks and rinsing the mouth.

Pain Relief:

• Take painkillers according to the instructions on the packet as required.
• Nurofen (Ibuprofen) seems to work the best but is only for those who don’t get tummy upsets with anti-inflammatory drugs. Definitely no more than 6 tablets in any 24 hours.

Bleeding:

• A slight ooze can be expected. If there is more bleeding, apply pressure with a gauze (supplied) for at least 5 minutes. Please contact us if you are concerned about the amount of bleeding.

Following Day

1. Begin mouth rinses using ½ teaspoon salt in a glass of very warm water. Hold in mouth without rinsing. Do this 2 or 3 times daily until you are able to brush that area normally again.
2. Continue to take painkillers as required.
3. If you find that painkillers are not working and it has been 2-3 days since the extraction then you may have a DRY SOCKET. This is very painful but easily fixed by the dentist placing a dressing in the socket. Don’t be a hero, pop in and let us check it (at no charge).